Mr.     F  R  I  S  B  I  E's 


A    N 

E       U        L         O         G       Y 

ON  THE 

ILLUSTRIOUS    CHARACTER 

OF  THE  LATE 

General  Ceorge  tESaaa&tngton, 

COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF  OF  ALL  THE  ARMIES  OF  THE  UNITED 

STATES  OF  AMERICA  : 
Who  died  on  Saturday,  the    1 4tL  of  December,  1 799. 


Delivered  at  Ipfwich,  on  the  -yth  day  of  January.  1800. 


By  LEVI  FR1SB1E,  A.  M. 
\\ 

Minifter  of  the  Gofpel  in  the  fir  ft  parifh  of  faid  to\vn. 
PUBLISHED  BY  DESIRE  OF  THE  HEARERS. 


The.  Righteous  Jhall  bt  in  ever  lofting  remembrance. 

DAVI>» 

He  mourns  the  dead,  who  lives  as  they  defire. 

YOUNG. 


TO    WHICH    IS    ADDED 

General  WASHINGTON'S  parental  and  affectionate 
ADDRESS  to  his  Country,  declining  their  future 
fuffrages  for  the  Prefidency. 

Printed  at    Newburyport,  by    EDMUND   M.   BLUNT,  1800. 


TO  THE  READER. 

THE  authors,  of  whofe  affiftance  the  compofer  of 
tbe  following  Eulogy  has  availed  himfelf,  are  Doftors 
Morfe,  Ramfey,  Young  and  Mefllre  Flechier.  He  has 
marked  the  ideas,  cited  from  thefe  authors  in  their  own 
words,  with  inverted  commas  ;  but  if  the  reader  fhould 
meet  with  other  thoughts,  as  probably  he  may,  felected 
from  the  fame  authors,  but  clothed  in  the  compofer's 
own  language,  and  accomodated  to  his  iubject,  he  will 
give  due  credit  for  them  to  their  original  owners.  The 
paffages  cited  from  the  immortal  WafhingtQi!*  writings 
needed  nothing  to  diftinguifh  them  but  their  own  fupe- 
?jor  merit. 


AN  EULOGY  ON  THE    LATE 

general  George 


II.  CHRON.  xxxvth  Chap.   24th  and  25th  verfes. 

And  till  Judah  and  Jerujalem  mourned  for  Jofiah,  and  Jtrt- 
iniah  lamented  for  jfojiah,  and  all  the  finging  men  and  finding  wo- 
men fpake  of  jfojiah  in  their  lamentations  to  this  day. 

JL  HEIR  mourning  and  lamentation  were  a  fuita- 
ble  precedent  for  us  on  this  fadly  folemn  occafion.  The 
wifeft,  the  beft  and  moft  amiable  of  men,  like  Jofiah, 
though  their  friends  and  countrymen  vvifli  and  pray  ever 
fo  earneflly  for  their  continuance,  cannot  live  here  for- 
ever. 

IT  is  the  prerogative  of  Him  who  reigns  in  the  Hea- 
vens, and  governs  all  the  dates  and  kingdoms  of  the 
earth,  to  raife  up  men  of  eminent  talents  and  virtues  to 
blefs  the  countries  to  which  they  belong  ;  and  it  is  his 
prerogative  to  remove  them  at  his  pleafure,  as  a  correc- 
tion for  the  errors  and  vices  of  their  countrymen  ;  and 
to  teach  them  the  vanity  and  uncertainty  of  thofe  riches, 
honors  and  pleafures,  they  fo  fondly  purfue.  When 
men  of  fuch  excellent  characters  are  given  to  a  people, 
it  is  their  duty  to  acknowledge  the  diftinguifhing  gift  of 
heaven  with  gratitude  and  praife ;  and  when  they  are 
torn  from  them  by  a  fudden  and  furprifin;*  ftroke,  it  be- 
comes 

M38285 


comes-them  to  lament  the'  lofs '  of  fuch  eminent  bene- 
factors with  a  forrow  and  humiliation,  as  deep  and  ex- 
tenfivc  as  the  frown  of  heaven,  and  the  lofs  they  have 
fuflained.  What  words  have  then  an  emphafis  fufficient 
to  exprefs  the  gratitude  we  owe  to  God  for  the  gift  of  a 
WASHINGTON,  and  the  anguifli  and  lamentation  of 
our  country  that  its  illujtrious  Friend  and  Father  is  no 
more  f  Yes,  he  was  the  Father  of  our  country  ;  raifcd 
up  by  the  hand  of  gracious  heaven  to  affift  the  birth,  to 
nourifh  the  infancy,  to  direct  and  defend  the  childhood 
of  our  new  born  empire  :  but  alas  !  he  is  removed  from 
his  charge  and  left  us,  as  deftitute  orphans  to  bewail  our 
unfpeakable  lofs  !  And  yet  he  is  not  loft  j  he  lives,  he 
greatly  lives  in  the  benefit  and  glory  of  his  actions,  in 
the  veneration  and  affection  of  his  grateful  countrymen, 
and  will  live  in  the  records  of  fame  as  long  as  liberty  and 
virtue  fhall  be  relpected  and  admired.  The  fragrant 
odour  of  his  memory  fhall  flow  down  the  current  of  fu- 
ture generations,  till  they  are  loft  in  the  ocean  of  eter- 
nity. 

SHALL  we  not  then,  while  we  deeply  deplore  the  me- 
lancholy event,  be  permitted  to  confole  the  forrow  of 
qur  hearts,  and  illumine  the  fable  cloud  of  our  afflictions 
by  contemplating  his  illuftrious  talents  and  virtues,  cele- 
brating the  praife  of  his  eminent  and  glorious  fervices  and 
achievments,  and  holding  him  up  to  view  as  an  example 
to  all  who  are  ambitious  to  excel,  as  a  model  for  War- 
riors, for  Statefmen  and  Magiftrates  through  all  ages,  in 
our  own  country  and  throughout  the  world  ? 

To 


(     7    ) 

To  aflift  your  minds  in  thefe  fadly  folemn,  but  highly 
ufef  ul  reflections,  is  the  talk  affigned  me  on  this  interefting 
occafion — A  tafk  how  honorable  !  and  yet  how  delicate, 
how  arduous;  and,  I  had  almofl  faid,  how  ufelefs  ?  For 
who  is  not  acquainted  with  the  deeds,  the  virtues  of  a 
Wafhinston  ?  Whofe  heart  and  mouth  is  not  filled  with 

9 

his  praife  ?  Yet  why  mould  it  be  deemed  arduous  and 
difficult  to  dojuftice  to  his  merit,  for  who  can  think  of 
his  virtues  and  not  catch  from  their  influence  fuch  an  in- 
Ipiration,  as  well  render  him  eloquent  in  Eulogiums  to 
his  memory  ?  Certainly  «*  no  fubject  was  ever  more  fuf- 
ceptible  of  a  folid  and  fublime  eloquence  than  the  Life 
and  the  Death"  of  THE  GREAT,  the  immortal 
WASHINGTON,  COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF  OF 
ALL  THE  AMERICAN  ARMIES,  PRESIDENT 
FOR  MANY  YEARS  OF  THESE  UNITED 
STATES,  AND  LATE  GENERAL  AND 
COMMANDER  IN  CHIEF  OF  ALL  THEIR 
FORCES.  "  In  what  perfonage  did  ever  the  effects 
of  moral,  military,  and  political  virtue  fhine  with 
greater  fplendor,  than  in  this  renowned  Chief  ?  How 
ftrikingly  were  they  exhibited  in  the  formation  and  con- 
dud  of  armies,  in  bold  encounters,  honorable  retreats 
and  hard  fought  battles  -,  in  conquering  his  enemies  by 
force,  or  wafting  away  their  flrength  and  numbers  by 
patience  and  addrefs  ;"  in  accepting,  with  a  becoming 
diffidence,  the  higheft  offices  his  country  could  beftow, 
in  filling  them  with  dignity,  wifdom  and  fidelity,  in  re- 
figning  them  with  modefty  and  moderation,  in  counfel- 
ing  and  advifing  the  officers  and  fubjects  of  government 

to 


(     8     ) 

to  a  courfe  of  conduct  mofl  wifely  adapted  to  fecure  their 
liberty,  their  harmony,  virtue,  dignity  and  profperity  to 
the  remoteft  generations  ?  "  Where  can  we  find  another 
fo  liberal,  fo  difinterefted,  fo  devoted  to  the  glory  and 
happinefs  ot  his  country  ;  fo  great  in  adverfity  by  his 
courage,  in  profperity  by  his  medefly,  in  difficulties  by 
his  prudence,  in  dangers  by  his  valour,  and  in  religion  by 
his  piety  ?"  But  no  pen,  no  tongue^  but  his  own,  could  do 
juftice  to  his  merits ;  yet  thefe  were  always  as  filent  in  his 
own  praifes,  as  they  are  at  this  melancholy  moment. 
Let  then  his  works,  and  his  writings  fpeak  his  juft  praifes, 
thefe  will  be  found  the  trueft  mirrour  of  his  virtue,  and 
his  fame.  Let  as  contemplate  our  beloved  Hero  enga- 
ged in  the  arduous  labours  of  the  cabinet  and  the  field. 
But  thefe  are  fo  vaft,  fo  complicated  in  their  number 
and  variety,  that  we  know  not  where  to  begin,  or  where 
we  fhall  be  able  to  end — 

LET  us  then  recur  to  the  time  and  the  place  at  which 
he  made  his  entrance  on  the  ftage  of  the  world.  The 
parifh  of  Wafhington  in  the  county  of  Weftmoreland, 
and  ftate  of  Virginia,  was  the  favoured  fpot,  which,  on 
the  lith  of  February  old  flyle,  in  the  year  1732,  gave 
birth  to  our  illuftrious  Hero.  Yes,  he  was  a.  pure  Ame- 
rican ;  he  was  born  in  our  country  ;  his  genius,  his  virtues, 
his  actions,  are  all  our  own — 

AT  an  early  age,  he  was  deprived  of  his  father's  patron- 
age, and  the  kind  attention  of  his  eldeft  brother,  by  their 
death,  and  left  an  object  of  watchful  care  and  tendernefs 

to 


<    9    ) 

to  an  affectionate  mother.     His  genius  needed  ndt,  iikfi 
thofe  of  an  inferior  grade,  the  labored  inftrudions,  dif- 
cipline  and  ftimulus  of  a  public  univerfity,  to  call  forth 
its  energies,  and  ripen  its  improvement.    Under  the  nur- 
turing care  of  a  private  tutor,  his  active  and  penetrating 
mind  was  able  to  acquire  thofe  principles  and  rudiments 
of  knowledge  and  fcience,  which  were  neceifary  to  pre- 
pare him  for  the  difcharge  of  thofe  high  and  important 
offices,  he  was,  hereafter,  to  fu (lain.     What  though  he 
\vas  not  mailer  of  the  language  of  Greece  or  of  Rome  5 
he  was  matter  of  virtues  and  accomphlhments  fuperior 
to  the  nobleft  of  their  fans— 

WHEN  he  was  15  years  of  age  he  entered  as  midlhip- 
man  on  board  a  Britifli  veflel  ot  war,  but  was  prevented 
taking  pofleffion  of  the'ftation  he  had  obtained,  by  thsr 
averfion  of  his  mother  to  a  profefllon  fo  unfavourable  to 
his  morals  and  his  life.  Thus  an  Omnijdent  Providence 
prevented  his  becoming  a  fkillful  artift  in  hurling  that 
Britifh  thunder,  againft  whofe  bolts,  he  was  deftined  to 
defend  the  lives  and  liberties  of  his  countrymen.  Hav- 
ing a  firm  and  enterprizing  foul,  united  to  a  healthful 
and  vigorous  body,  neither  corrupted  nor  inervated  by 
the  vices  and  exceffes  of  youth,  he  was  fitted  to  perform 
the  duties,  and  endure  the  hardlhipsofa  life,  devoted  ta 
the  fafety,  the  happinefs  and  glory  of  his  country — • 

IN  the  year  17^3,  when  he  wss  but  little  more  than 
.21  y«ars  of  age,  he  accepted  and  executed  a  miffion  tc 

B  treat 


treat  with  the  French  and  Indians  at  Fort  Du  Quefne, 
and  to  remonftrate  to  the  former  againlt  their  encroach- 
ments upon  the  lands  of  our  now  weftern  territory.  To 
accomr)Rh  this  miffion,  he  had  to  pafs  a  wild  and  howl- 
ing wildernefs  for  feveral  hundred  miles,  bcfet  with  ia- 
vage  beafts  and  more  favage  men  ;  and  to  guard  againfl 
the  attacks  of  violence,  and  the  arts  of  negociation;  but 
with  a  conrcioufncfs  of  his  own  integrity,  a  modeft  con- 
fidence in  his  own  abilities,  and  a  humble  reliance  on  the 
protection  of  divine  Providence,  lie  "  executed  the  duties 
of  a  miffion,  fo  arduous  and  difficult,  with  fingular  in- 
duftry,  intelligence  and  addrefs" — 

IN  the  year  175;,  we  meet  with  our  beloved  Hero 
making  a  more  confpicuous  entrance  on  the  theatre  of 
war  ;  a  theatre  on  which  he  was  defiined  to  fhine  here- 
after with  fuch  diftinpuifhed  glory.  He  be2;an  morede- 

•.  '  O          J  O 

cidedly  to  improve  his  mind  in  the  practical  knowledge 
of  military  fer vice  in  the  office  of  Colonel  of  the  Virginia 
provincial  troop?,  under  the  orders  and  difcipline  of  Ge- 
neral Braddock.  This  gentleman  was  Britifh  comman- 
der of  an  expedition  n^ainft  the  French  forces  at  a  pod 
lince  denominated  Fort  Pitr ;  and  though  ikillfu!  in  the  ici- 
enceand  practice  of  war,  he  unvvariiy  fell  into  an  ambuf- 
cade  near  the  banks  of  the  river  Monongahela.  He 
immediate'y  drew  up  his  troops  in.clofe  order  of  battle. 
thereby  expofing  them,  in  open  view,  to  the  deadly  fire 
of  His  enemicr,  foncca'cd  and  kcurcd  behind  the  logs 
and  trees  of  the  foreft  ;  whr,  !r!M.'J;  far  inferior  in  num- 
bers 


bers  to  his  own  forces,  cut  them  down  by  hundreds  and 
by  thoufancls,  and  left  them  to  lie  unburied  in  the  ranks 
in  which  they  fell  a  prey  to  favage  beads,  and  a  perpetual 
monument  of  the  utter  infufficiency  of  a  commander 
who  does  not  unite  in  his  charade r  prudence  with  cou» 
rage,  judgment  and  fagacity  with  the  art  of  war. 

COL.  Wafhington  had  the  prudence  and  courage  to 
defend  the  fhattered  remains  of  the  routed  army  againft 
the  further  attacks  of  their  enemy,  and  to  conduct  their 
retreat  to  a  ftation  of  fafety.  And  he  doubtlefs  had  the 
vvildom  to  profit  by  this  fatal  inftance  of  inattention  and 
temerity  in  his  genera!,  and  to  bear  it  on  his  mind,  as 
an  affeclif^g  caution  to  be  forever  on  his  guard  againft 
fuch  a  difittrous  lurprize  and  defeat.  No  inftance,  it  is 
prefumed,  can  be  found  in  the  whole  lerics  of  his  mili- 
tary operations,  in  which  he  prefenteJ  an  advantage  to 
his  enemy,  by  unguarded  (ecurity  or  intemperate  ram- 
nefs.  He  knew  when  to  advance  and  when  to  retire. 
No  hazards  or  labours  could  deter  him  from  engaging 
an  enemy,  when  warranted  by  wifdom  and  prudence  : 
No  provocations  of  his  enemy,  no  cenfure  from  his  pro- 
fefled  friends,  no  dread  of  diihonour  to  his  military  cha- 
racter, could  impel  him  to  rifque  a  battle  againft  the 
dictates  of  his  own  enlightened  judgment :  his  foes  might 
defeat  his  troops,  but  could  never  fubdue  their  General : 
they  might  force  him  to  retire,  but  could  never  take 
him  by  furprize.  It  was  by  a  firm  and  refolute  perfeve- 
rancc  in  this  line  of  conduct,  that  hejuftiy  acquired  the 

illuftrious  title  of  the  AMERICAN  FABIUS. 

AND 


AND  that  we  may  be  convinced  how  fully  the  truth 
qf  thefe  oblervations  was  verified  in  his  practice,  let  us 
pafs  over  in  filence  the  other  paflages  of  his  life,  and 
ha  lien  to  that  eventful  period,  when  he  was  chofen  Com- 
iti  Chief  of  all  the  American  forces. 


HE  was  a  member  of  the  Congrefs  which  convened  at 
Philadelphia  on  the  icth  of  May,  in  the  year  1775:  a 
year  forever  cMfpicnous  in  the  annals  of  American  liberty. 
The  f.vord  of  Britilh  (laughter  had  already  been  drawn 
on  the  plains  of  Lexingron,  and  dyed  its  guilty  blade  in 
American  blood.  An  army  had  been  haftily  affembled 
in  the  vicinity  oi:  Bofton,  compofed  of  the  hardy  fons  of 
liberty,  whole  courage,  enthullaftic  zeal  for  the  freedom 
and  iafety  of  their  country,  and  their  indignation  againft 
its  hwlefs  invaders  were  to  fupply  the  place  of  military 
experience,  difcipline,  and  the  complicated  apparatus  cf 
war.  And  foon  after  a  detachment  from  this  army  gave 
to  the  Britons,  at  the  battle  of  Bunker's  hill,  a  terrible 
fpecimen  of  their  obftinate  valour,  and  taught  them,  by 
the:  wide  extended  (laughter  which  laid  wafte  the  flower 
of  t'<uii-  troops,  to  confider  the  mighty  expence  of  blood 
and  treafure,  it  would  cofc  them  to  conquer  our  country. 

THE  appeal  was  now  made  to  Heaven  ;  the  fpirit  of 
refiftance,  through  all  the  States,  was  blown  to  a  flame, 
and  the  Congrefs  was  deliberating  on  the  moft  fuitable 
find  ncceffary  meafures  to  concentrate  and  direct  its 
force,  One  of  the  moft  obvious  of  which  was  the  ap- 
pointment 


(     '3     ) 

pointment  of  a  Commander  in  Chief.  And  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON,  diftinguilhed  by  his  eminent  vir- 
tues and  abilities,  as  the  moft  fui table  perfon  for  fuch  an 
arduous  ftation,  was,  on  the  ijth  of  June,  1775,  unani- 
moit/ly  deBtd  and  appointed  Commander  in  Chief  of  all  the 
forces  raifed>  or  to  be  raifed,  for  the  defence  of  the  colonies. 
And  fuch  was  the  public  opinion  of  his  virtues,  that  the 
choice  was  univerfally  approved. 

BUT  what  muft  have  been  the  feelings  of  this  great 
and  good  man  at  this  awful  crijis  ?  He  was  fully  apprized 
of  the  great  naval  and  military  ftrength  of  Great  Britain, 
the  fkill  and  courage  of  her  troops,  and  her  boundlefs  re- 
iources  for  war  ;  "  he  knew  that  her  fleets  rode  miftrefs 
of  the  ocean,  and  that  her  flag  had  waved  in  triumph  over 
the  four  quarters  of  the  world."  He  knew  that  the  A- 
mericans,  though  brave,  were  deficient  in  martial  fkiil 
and  experience,  and  almoft  entirely  deftitute  of  military 
(lores  and  the  neceflary  furniture  for  war.  He  knew 
that  their  armies  muft  be  at  fir  ft  but  little  Superior  to  an 
undisciplined  rabble,  and  that  a  feries  of  months  and 
perhaps  years,  and  an  infinite  expenfe  of  labour,  of  pnti- 
cnce,  and  application  muft  be  employed  to  form  them 
to  fuch  difcipline,  fubordination,  and  confidence  as  would 
enable  them  to  take  the  field,  with  a  profped  of  fuccefs, 
againft  an  army  of  veteran  foes.  He  knew  that  if  they 
mould  fail  of  accomplishing  the  great  objects  of  their 
conflict,  the  yoke  of  flavery  might  be  riveted  forever  on 
the  necks  of  his  dear  countrymen,  and  himfelf  with  his 

principal 


(     14     ) 

principal  affociates  in  this  arduous  enterprize  might  pro- 
bably be  facrificed  to  Britifh  pelicy  or  reientment.  What 
courage,  therefore,  what  finiYhefs,  what  confidence  in  the 
juftice  of  liis  caufe,  what  ardent  afiedion  for  the  liberty 
and  fafety  of  his  country,  what  reliance  on  the  protection 
of  Heaven,  muft  have  infpired  his  bread,  to  induce  him 
to  accept  a  command  fo  full  of  difficulty,  labour,  and 
hazard  ?  But  under  the  influence  of  thefe  noble  princi- 
ples, he  did  cheerfully  accept  it,  though  with  unexampled 
tnodefty,  as  may  appear  from  his  reply  to  the  Prchdent 
of  Congrefs,  announcing  his  appointment,  in  the  follow- 
ing words:  "  Though  I  am,  truly  fenfible  of  the  high 
honour  done  me  in  this  appointment,  yet  I  feel  great  dif- 
trefs  from  the  confcioufnefs  that  my  abilities  and  military 
experience  may  not  be  equal  to  the  extenfive  and  im- 
portant truft.  However,  as  the  Congrels  defire  it,  I 
will  enter  upon  the  momentous  duty,  and  exert  every 
power  I  pofiefs  in  their  fervice,  and  in  fupport  of  the 
Glorious  Caufe." 

He  proceeded  to  further  exprefllons  of  a  modeft  con- 
fidence, but  with  a  caution  not  to  entertain  too  exalted 
expectations  of  his  fuccefs,  and  then  added  :  "  As  to  pay, 
Sir,  I  beg  leave  to  affure  the  Congrefs  that,  as  no  pe- 
cuniary confideration  could  have  tempted  me  to  accept 
this  arduous  employment  at  the  expence  of  my  domef- 
ticeafe  and  happinels,  I  do  not  wiQi  to  make  any  profit 
from  it ;  I  will  keep  an  exacl  account  of  my  expence?, 
thofe  I  doubt  not  they  will  difcharge,  and  that  is  all  I 
dffire." 


(    '5    ) 

In  thefe  effufions  of  a  great  and  liberal  mind,  what  an 
amiable  combination  do  we  f-e  of  magnanimity  and  mo- 
defty,  of  a  generofity  and  courage,  worthy  of  a  Wafti- 


ington. 


Immediately  on  receiving  his  commiflion,  he  repaired 
to  Cambridge  and  took  the  command  of  the  army,  al- 
ready aiTembled  at  that  place,  and  began  to  make  fuch 
arrangements  and  regulations,  as  were  neceffary  to  ren- 
der it  refpectable  and  formidable  to  its  enemies.  And 
here  he  commenced  in  earneft  the  arduous  courfe  of  his 
military  operations,  hazards  and  toils.  Minutely  to  de- 
tail them,  is  neither  neceflary  nor  poflible.  But  could  I 
form  a  miniature  picture  of  the  whole,  or  could  I  caufe 
them  to  rife  up  to  your  view,  and  pafs  in  rapid  fucceffion 
before  your  eyes,  I  might  point  out  our  indefatigable 
Hero  on  the  heights  of  Charleftown,  of  Cambridge,  of 
Roxbury,  and  Dorchefter ;  on  the  latter  I  might  fhevv 
you  works  riling  in  one  night,  like  an  exhalation  from 
the  earth,  to  the  furprife  and  terror  of  his  enemies.  I 
might  fliew  you  thefe  enemies  haftily  evacuating  the 
town  of  Boflon,  and  fpeeding  their  courfe  to  New- York. 
I  might  point  out  our  watchful  commander  already  at 
that  pofl  with  his  army,  prepared  to  receive  them,  for- 
tifying, contending,  retiring,  oppreffed,  but  not  dejected 
by  difappointments  and  defeats — I  might  prefent  him  to 
your  wondering  eyes,  now  fighting,  and  now  retreating 
with  mafterly  addrefs  beneath  the  covert  of  the  night, 
and  the  mifty  clouds  of  the  morning,  by  which  heaven 
Concealed  his  movements  from  the  view  of  the  enemy, 

and 


C     »6     ) 

«nd  exerting  all  the  powers  of  his  mighty  foul  to  fave  his 
army  and  his  country  from  that  utter  deftruction,  which 
fcemed  juft  ready  to  overwhelm  them.  I  might  invite 
you  to  notice  the  various  emotions  painted  on  his  manly 
countenance,  and  the  generous  tear  fwelling  in  his  eye, 
when  he  faw  his  beloved  foldiers  fubje&ed  to  defeat,  to 
capture,  dejection  and  death.  For  his  heart  was  full  of 
ienfibility,  and  though  his  pafiions  were  never  permitted  to 
controul  his  judgment,  to  dethrone  his  realon,  or  to  de- 
range the  order  and  harmony  of  his  foul ;  yet,  as  be- 
came a  moral  and  a  chriflian  hero,  he  indulged,  as  wif- 
dom  and  generofity  prefcribcd,  to  the  tender  and  benev- 
olent emotions  and  fympaihies  of  his  heart.  Ready,  when- 
ever the  duty  of  his  ftation,  and  the  importance  of  his 
object  required  it,  to  expofe  his  troops  and  himfelf  to  the 
labors  and  dangers  of  fighting  and  fatigue,yct  was  he  never 
prodigal  of  their  ftrengthor  of  their  lives ;  not  a  man  of 
them  was  ever  facrificed  to  his  own  perfonal  honor  or 
fame;  not  a  drop  of  their  blood  was  med  but  for  the  fervice 
and  benefit  of  his  country.  His  foldiers  were  his  children 
and  friends,  they  loved,  they  revered,  they  adored  him 
as  the  beft  of  fathers,  and  the  greateft  of  men.  His 
voice  was  their  oracle,  and  his  word  was  their  law — Yet 
all  their  love  and  veneration  for  their  leader,  all  their  zeal 
for  the  liberty  and  happinefs  of  their  country,  could  not 
always  render  them  firm  and  undaunted  in  the  face  of 
their  enemies — Hence  that  ftorm  of  conflicting  paflions, 
•which,  on  his  retreat  from  New-York,  for  a  moment, 
harrowed  up  his  foul,  magnanimous  as  it  was,  when  he 

faw 


(     '7     ) 

law  the  dejection,  the  defertion,  and  diminution  of  his 
army,  and  beheld  at  one  view  the  dreadful  horrors  which 
mud  inevitably  follow  their  total  defeat  and  deftrudion. 
But  this  conflict  was  but  the  agonizing  crFort  of  honor, 
courage,  and  patriotifm  fuelling  and  draggling  with 
mighty  energy  to  drive  back  that  formidable  engine  of 
hoftile  power  and  violence  which  feeme'd  ju d  ready  tof 
crum  his  beloved  country  -y  and,  when  deferred  by  others, 
to  rufh  forward,  and  like  another  Sampfon,  witli 
his  own  fingle  arm,  to  make  and  tumble  it  td 
the  ground,  though  at  the  hazard  of  burying  hirhfelf 
in  the  wide-fpreading  ruins  of  its  fall.  But  how 
Toon  did  thefe  paflbns  fubfide  into  a  calrri  fub- 
miffion  to  the  difpofals  of  Providence,  and  a  determined 
refolution  to  defend  thecaufe  in  which  he  had  embarked 
to  the  lad  extremity,  and  never  to  defert  it,  while  one 
man  could  be  found  to  aflid  him  in  its  fupport  ?  fo  that 
when  he  was  alked  where  he  mould  make  a  (land  ?  he 
coolly,  but  fignifkantly  replied,  "  Beyond  the  Allegany 
mountains,  if  we  are  not  able  to  do  it  before" — Behold 
him,  therefore,  retreating  through  the  Jerfeys  with  an 
handful  of  troops,  deditute  of  tents,  of  cloathing  and  of 
almod  every  convenience  neceffary  to  mield  them  from 
the  rigid  feverities  of  the  fealon  ;  their  undiod,  wounded 
feet  marking  their  footdeps  with  blood  ;  (corned  by 
their  enemies,  deferted  by  their  friends,  and  ready  to  be 
overwhelmed  with  an  ocean  of  furrounding  evils  and  en- 
emies ;  yet  under  the  preffure  of  this  mighty  load  of 
complicated  fufferings  and  dangers,  his  heart  /';  ajlranger 

t9 

C 


to  timidity  cr  dtfpair.  Confcious  of  the  rectitude  and 
purity  of  his  own  principles,  confident  in  the  juftice  and 
magnitude  of  his  caufe,  and  relying  on  the  protection  of 
that  providence,  which  had  hitherto  preferved  himfelf 
and  his  country  from  utter  ruin  ;  he  waited,  in  the  em- 
ployment of  every  practicable  meafure,  and  every  pofiible 
exertion,  for  the  favourable  moment  which  fhould  arreft 
and  roll  back  the  headlong  current  of  his  affairs. 

AND  beheld  that  favourable  moment  is  happily  real- 
ized when,  on  the  25111  of  December,  '76,  our  immor- 
tal Commander^  having  recruited  and  marmaled  his  little 
army  on  the  Pennfylvania  bank  of  the  river  Delaware, 
recrofles  that  river,  clogged  with  ice,  in  the  darknefs  of 
the  night,  and  in  the  very  teeth  of  the  cold  driving  tem- 
ped of  fnow  and  hail,  attacks,  kills  and  captures  above 
nine  hundred  Heffians  Rationed  at  Trenton,  and  retires 
with  his  prifoneis  in  fafety  and  triumph  !  Behold,  a  few 
days  after,  the  enemy  coming  down  upon  him,  at  the 
fame  Trenton,  like  an  angry  lion,  feeming  to  have  en- 
circled him  within  the  grafp  of  his  paws,  and  lying  down 
to  reft  for  the  n'ght,  fecure  of  his  prey,  when  tlie  cold 
piercing  wind  of  favouring  heaven  blowing  from  the 
north  and  congealing  the  fpongy  earth  to  the  hardnefs  of 
a  pavement  beneath  the  feet  of  his  troops,  (for  the  ele- 
ments fought  for  fflajhitigton)  he,  with  a  mafterly  addrefs, 
by  a  fecret,  rapid  and  circuitous  march,  gains  the  rear 
of  the  enemy,  attacks,  defeats  and  captures  their  troops 
at  Princeton,  and  retires  in  fafety,  before  the  enemy, 
amazed  and  embarrafTed,  could  arrive  to  revenge  the  un- 
cxpeded  dif  after  !  Iw 


(     19     ) 

IN  this  rencounter,  our  valiant  hero  delayed  a  Ipirit 
of  daring  intrepidity  apparently  bordering  on  raQmefs, 
by  expofing  his  life,  in  a  critical  moment  when  his  troops 
b?gan  to  give  way,  to  the  mod  imminent  danger  ;  but 
well  he  knew,  that  it  would  be  no  temerity  to  hazard  a 
life,  however  precious,  at  iuch  an  interefling  crifis,  when 
a  failure  of  fuccefs  would  render  it  ufelefs  to  his  country, 
and  liable  to  be  doomed  a  facrificc  to  an  ignominious 
fate — The  deadly  balls  of  the  enemy,  being  turned  afide 
by  an  invilible  hand  from  bis  bread,  drove  on  with  in- 
dignant fury  and  pierced  the  gallant  bofom  of  the  much 
lamented  Mercer. 

THESE  brilliant  operations  and  fucceffes,  though  by 
no  means  decifive,  yet  furprifed  and  confounded  the  ene- 
my, and  were  to  the  army  and  the  country  like  life  from 
the  dead — And  by  letting  in  motion  the  fprings  of  uni- 
verfal  activity  and  enterprize,  produced  confequences  of 
the  utmoft  utility  and  importance. 

BUT  all  thefe  confequences  did  not  immediately  fol- 
low. For,  in  the  fucceeding  year  of  '77,  at  Brandywine, 
at  Gernuntown,  at  Ticonderoga,  and  at  other  places, 
which  need  not  be  mentioned,  defeat  and  dilaftcr  at- 
tended the  operations  of  our  arms. 

FOR  the  character  and  example  of  our  beloved  hero 
were  not  to  be  rompleated  by  a  fhort  courfe  of  victories 
and  fuccefles,  and  then  to  fink,  like  a  blazing  meteor, 

into. 


(      20      ) 

into  the  (hades  of  darknefs  and  oblivion.  His  divine 
rpafter  was  forming  him  in  the  (chool  of  adverfity  to  -a 
fpirit  of  refignation,  patience  and  piety,  preparing  him  to 
aA  a  part  of:  diftinguiilied  dignity  andufefulnefs  in  future 
eminent  flations,  and  to  exhibit  a  fhining  example  of  vir- 
tue and  goodnefs  to  warriors  and  ftatefmen,  and  even  to 
perfons  of  every  rank  in  life,  to  all  future  generations — 
In  the  greateft  extremity  of  his  misfortunes,  and  the  low- 
ed depth  of  his  dipreflion,  Congrefs  was  fo  intirely  fatis- 
ficd  with  his  abilities  and  conduct,  and  placed  fuch  a  per- 
fect reliance  on  the  wif-Jom,  vigour  and  uprightnefs  of 
his  principles  and  operations,  that  they  vefted  him  with 
powers,  the  moft  ample,  compleat,  and  exter.five  in  re- 
gard to  the  appointments,  arrangements  and  proceedings 
necdTiiry  to  the  profecution  of  the  war — This  ponder- 
ous weight  of  care  and  refponfibility  he  willingly  atium- 
ed  with  a  fingle  view,  as  we  have  the  fulled  reafon  to 
believe,  to  the  prefervation  and  eftablifhment  of  the  lib- 
erty and  independence  of  his  country — And  hence  it  was 
that,  far  fuperior  to  thofe  ignoble  paflions  of  envy  and 
regard  to  perional  honour  and  appiaufe,  which  have 
fometimes  had  too  much  influence  on  minds,  otherwile, 
in  a  degree,  great  and  generous,  he  rejoiced  in  the  fuc- 
cefs  and  victory  of  generals  acting  at  a  diftance  under 
his  own  orders,  or  thofe  of  Congrefs,  as  cordially  as  if 
they  had  been  his  own — With  what  gladnefs  did  he  hear 
that  the  coo!,  fteady,  and  fagacious  courage  and  conduct 
of  General  Green,  had  contended  againR  his  noble  antag- 
pnift  with  fuch  energy  and  effect,  as  to  leave  him  only 

the 


the  empty  name  and  honor  of  a  victory,  without  per- 
mitting him  to  reap  any  folid  advantages  from  it  ?  With 
what  lively  fatisfaction  and  triumph  did  he  welcome  the 
intelligence,  that,  the  northern  army  under  the  direction 
of  General  Gates,  infpired  by  the  headlong  courage  of 
Arnold,  and  the  difpaffionate  intrepidity  of  Lincoln,  had 
been  crowned  with  the  compleat  fuccefs  of  capturing 
General  Burgoyne  with  his  whole  army  ?  Perhaps  his 
generous  heart  fwelled  not  with  more  grateful  emotions 
at  the  decided  iuperiority  of  his  own  troops  over  the 
forces  of  Britain  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  on  the  28th 
of  June,  '78,  when  he  had  the  unfpeakable  pleafure  of 
realizing  the  fruits  of  his  indefatigable  activity  and  dili- 
gence in  forming  them  to  fuch  a  perfection  of  military 
difcipline,  courage  and  {kill,  that  they  were  able  fuccefs- 
fully  to  contend  with  the  braved  foldiers  in  the  world. 

BUT  paffing  over  in  filence  a  variety  of  interefting 
events  and  operations ;  omitting  to  mention  the  detefta- 
ble  plot,  and  vile  defection  of  an  Arnold,  which  have 
branded  his  name  with  everlafting  infamy  ;  and  to  expa- 
tiate on  the  companionable  fate  of  the  haplefs  and  gene- 
rous Andre,  and  the  painful  regret  which  wounded  the 
heart  of  our  benevolent  hero  under  the  imperious  ne- 
cefiity  of  putting  that  amiable  youth  to  an  untimely  and 
diihonorable  death  j  we  haflen  on  to  the  clofmg  and 
crowning  operation  of  this  long  and  calamitous  war. 
The  capture  of  Lord  Cornwall  is  with  his  whole  army,  at 
York-Town,  on  the  i9th  of  October,  1781,  by  the  uni- 
ted 


ted  forces  of  America  and  France,  afforded  the  moft 
lively  fatisfadion  to  the  heart  of  our  beloved  hero,  not 
only  as  it  witnefled  a  decided  luperiority  of  his  troops 
over  thofe  of  the  enemy,  an J  crowned  them  and  their  Ge- 
neral with  never-fading  laurels  ot  victory  and  glory,  but 
more  efpecially  as  it  furnimed  ample  ground  of  hope, 
that  this  long  and  difallrous  war  would  foon  be  conclu- 
ded by  an  honourable  and  lading  peace  :  a  peace  which 
would  forever  fecure  to  united  America  her  Liberty,  her 
Sovereignty  and  Independence — The  happy  event  offuch 
a  peace,  which  had  been  the  objed  of  all  the  wifhes  and 
efforts  of  our  hero,  and  which  terminated  his  military 
career  with  felicity  and  glory,  was  compleated  on  the  jd 
day  of  September,  1783.  An  event,  the  bleffmgs  of 
which  would  probably  never  have  been  realized  by  the 
States  of  America,  had  it  not  been  for  the  talents  and 
virtues  of  their  ineftimable  Wafhington.  It  was  an  event, 
however,  of  which  the  happy  fruits  were  in  danger  of  being 
blaftedby  the  officers  of  the  American  army,  when  they 
difcovered  that  they  were  to  be  discharged  without  re- 
ceiving that  compenfation  for  their  fervices,  which  they 
juftly  expected,  and  by  the  meafures  which  their  refent- 
ment  at  fuch  unworthy  treatment,  excited  them  to  pur- 
fue,  for  obtaining  fatisfadion  to  their  juft  demands. 

In  this  moft  difficult  and  delicate  conjnndure,  all  the 
powers  and  virtues  of  our  hero's  ioul  were  called  fourth 
to  a  new  train  of  objeds  and  exertions.  But  inftead  of 
availing  himielf  of  the  difcontent  and  refentment  of  the 

9 

army 


army  to  ufurp  the  powers  of  government,  and  render 
himfelf  the  fovereign  mafter  of  his  country,  a  conduct  to 
which  an  ambitious  and  afpiring  mind  would  probably 
have  been  prompted,  he  employed  the  whole  influence  of 
his  authority  and  addrefs,  and  of  his  intereft  in  the  affec- 
tions of  his  officers,  to  calm  their  paffions  and  to  fatisfy 
their  minds  that  juftice  would  be  done  them  by  their 
much  indebted  country. 

THIS  noble  effort  of  juftice  and  benevolence  to  his  mil- 
itary friends,  and  of  refpecl  and  affection  to  the  liberties 
and  conflituted  authorities  of  his  country,  ever  facred 
and  dear  to  his  heart,  was  complcated  in  his  farewell  or- 
ders, in  which,  with  all  the  dignity  of  a  commander, 
and  all  the  piety  and  affection  of  a  father,  he  gave  the 
mod  falutary  advice  to  his  officers,  and  bid  them  a  long 
and  affectionate  adieu. 

As  thefe  orders  breathe  an  ardent  and  amiable  fpirit 
of  wifdom  and  goodnefs,  of  generous  affection  to  his  ar- 
my and  his  country,  and  of  piety  to  his  God,  I  cannot 
forbear  citing  a  paragraph  or  two  from  fuch  an  excellent 
performance,  as  ftrongly  exprefiive  of  the  genuine  cha- 
racter of  his  heart — 

"A  CONTEMPLATION"  (fays  the  venerable  Chief) 
"  of  the  compleat  attainment  (at  a  period  earlier  than 
could  have  been  expected)  of  the  object  for  which  we 
contended,  againft  fo  formidable  a  power,  cannot  but  in- 
fpire  us  with  aftonimment  and  gratitude.  The  difad- 

vantageous 


(       24       ) 

vantageous  circumftances  on  our  part,  under  which  the 
war  was  undertaken,  can  never  be  forgotten.  The  fin- 
gular  interpofitions  of  Providence  in  our  feeble  condition 
were  fuch  as  could  fcarcely  efcape  the  attention  of  the 
mod  unobferving,  while  the  unparalleled  perfeverance  of 
the  armies  of  the  United  States,  through  almoft  every 
poffible  fuffering  and  difcouragement,  for  the  fpace  of 
eight  long  years,  was  little  fhort  of  a  (landing  miracle." 
ct  And  the  General  being  now  to  conclude  with  thefe 
Jaft  public  orders,  to  take  his  ultimate  leave,  in  a  fhort 
time,  of  the  military  character,  and  to  bid  a  final  adieu 
to  the  armies  he  has  fo  long  had  the  honour  to  com- 
mand j  he  can  only  again  offer  in  their  behalf,  his  re- 
commendations to  their  grateful  country,  and  his  pray- 
ers to  the  God  of  armies.  May  ample  juftice  be  done 
them  here,  and  may  the  choiceft  ot  Heaven's  favours, 
both  here  and  hereafter,  attend  thofe  who  under  the  di- 
vine 'aufpices  have  fccured  innumerable  bleffings  for 
others. 

"  WITH  thefe  wiihes  and  this  benediction,  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  is  about  to  retire  from  lervice.  The 
curtain  of  ieparation  is  drawn,  and  the  military  fcene  to 
him  will  be  doled  forever." 

Now  from  this  general  review  of  a  long  and  compli- 
cated ferics  of  operations  and  events,  various,  intereft- 
ing  and  extending  (rom  one  extremity  of  United  Ameri- 
ca to  the  other,  to  Canada,  to  the  ocean,  and  to  the  king- 
doms of  the  European  world,  mud  we  not  be  led  to 

form 


form  the  mod  enlarged  and  exalted  idea  of  the  genii:'::, 
the  talents  and  virtues  of  our  mofl  excellent  Chief  ?  Of 
that  invincible  fortitude  and  courage  which  could  fuftain 
his  mind  under  fuch  an  accumulated  load  of  labor  and 
difappointments  ?  Of  that  amazing  penetration,  force 
of  judgment,  and  flrctch  of  thought,  which  enabled 
him  to  look  through  fuch  an  endlefs  variety  of  affairs,  to 
give  direction  to  fuch  a  multitude  of  movements,  and 
to  devife  plans  and  mcafures  for  carrying  into  execution 
fuch  vaft  and  numerous  defigns  ?  The  weight  of  our 
rifing  Empire  was  laid  upon  his  fhoulders,  and  he  be- 
came the  principal  pillar  in  fupporting  the  liberty,  the 
independence,  the  honour  and  fafety  of  our  weftern 
world. 

LET  no  honeft  and  fcrupulous,  but  erring  mindj  let 
no  heart,  attempting  to  difguife  far  different  fentiments 
under  the  fpecious  covering  of  humility  and  piety,  cen- 
fure  the  honours  we  pay  to  his  memory  as  far  tranfcend- 
ing  the  merit  of  a  mortal  j  and  tax  us  with  idolatry  in 
paying  an  homage  to  his  virtues,  which  is  due  only  to  the 
perfections  of  his  God.  For  we  religioufly  avow,  and 
wifh  to  have  it  forever  underftood,  that  we  devoutly  ac- 
knowledge his  whole  bright  afTemblage  of  abilities,  vir- 
tues and  achievements,  to  have  been  given  him  from 
Heaven  in  tendernefs  and  mercy  to  thefe  United  States ; 
and  to  that  original,  inexhauflible  fountain  of  being  and 
happinefs,  our  unfeigned  tribute  of  gratitude  and  praife, 
is,  and  ought  to  be  ultimately,  paid.  Of  this  our  humbte 
D  Waj 


was  himfelf  deeply  fenfible  ;  this  he  devoutly 
and  uniformly  confefled.  And  by  a  fingular  humility 
and  modefty,  which,  while  it  deprefled  and  annihilated 
his  virtues  and  fervices  in  his  own  eyes,  exalted  them  in 
the  eyes  of  God  and  man,  he,  for  a  long  time,  con- 
founded the  malignant  eye  of  Envy,  and  awed  to  filencc 
her  flanderous  tongue. 

THUS  our  beloved  hero,  having  finimed  the  numerous 
aiiu  arduous  labors  of  his  military  life,  having  refisned 

•  O  O 

his  cominifllon  with  a  folemnity  and  dignity,  and  vvirh 
expreflions  of  gratitude  and  piety  becoming  a  general 
and  a  chriftian,  retired  to  the  favourite  pleafures  and  em- 
ployment§  of  rural  and  dom.efi.ic  life. 

AND  here,  if  time  would  permit,  we  might  view  him 
exercifing,  in  the  fhades  of  retirement,  all  the  mild  and 
amiable  virtues  of  the  gentleman,  the  citizen,  the  hui- 
bandman,  the  companion,  the  matter,  the  hufband  and 
the  friend. 

BUT  from  thefe  domeflic  and  rural  enjoyments,  ever 
ineilimabiy  dear  to  his  heart,  he  was  foon  called  forth  by 
his  afTecY:cnate  and  admiring  country  to  a  new  feries  of 
arduous  and  important  labors.  Chofen  as  a  delegate,  and 
elected  to  preiide  in  a  convention  affembled  at  Philadel- 
phia, in  the  month  of  May,  1787,  for  the  purpofe  of 
forming  a  con  ft  i  tut;  on  of  government  for  the  United 
States,  he  contributed  the  whole  force  of  his  political 

knowledge 


knowledge  and   experience  to  the  accompli  foment  of 
thatdefign.     And  when  it  was  completed  and  ratified 
by  a  large  majority  of  the  ftates  in  the  union,  the  wif- 
dom,  the  gratitude  and  efteem  of  his  countrymen  led 
them  to  elect  him,  by  their  unanimous  Cuff  rages,  to  pre- 
fide  as  their  fupreme  magiflratc,   and  to  carry  into  exe- 
cution that  coniYitution  of  government,  which  his  talents 
and  virtues  had  affifted  to  form.      He  entered  upon  the 
arduous  work  of  this  difficult  and  delicate  adminiftration 
on  the  3oth  day  of  April,   1789,  at  the   city  of  New- 
York.     "  The  ceremony  of  his  inauguration  (lays  a  ce- 
lebrated writer)    was  performed  in  the  open  gallery  of 
Federal  Hall,  in  the  view  of  many  thoufand  fpectators — 
The  oath  was  adminiflered  by  Chancellor  Livingfton — 
Several  circumstances  concurred  to  render  the  fcene  un- 
ufuaily  folemn — The  prefencc  of  the  beloved  Father  and 
Deliverer  of  his  Country — The  impreffions  of  gratitude 
for  his  pall  fervices — The  vaft  concourfe  of  fpedtators — 
The  devout  fervency  with  which  he  repeated  the  oath. 
and  the   reverential  manner  in  which   he  bowed  to  kils 
the  facred  volume — Thefecircamftances,  together  with 
that  of  his  being  chofen  to  the  mod  dignified  office  in 
America,  and  perhaps  in  the  whole  world,  by  the  unan- 
imous voice  of  more  than  three  millions  of  enlightened 
freemen,  all   confpired   to  place  this  amongft  the  mod 
auguft  and  interefting  fcenes  which  have  been  exhibited 
on  the  theatre  of  this  globe." 

AND  who,  with  any  appearance  of  reafon  or  juftice, 
can  venture  to  aflert,   that  the  progress  of  his  whole  ad- 

miniftration 


ininifi ration  was  not  anfwerable  in  wifdom,  fidelity,  and 
integrity  to  the  grandeur,  folemnity,  and  piety  of  this 
commencing  ad  ?  To  attempt  a  particular  detail  of  the 
mod  important  meafures  and  tranfadions  of  this  admi- 
nitlration,  to  fpccify  the  particular  difplays  of  prudence, 
impartiality,  firmnefs,  and  political  ability,  exhibited  by 
the  Prefident,  in  times  the  moft  trying  and  critical, 
nmidft  the  intrigues  and  collifions  of  contending  parties 
and  rival  interefts,  and  the  dangerous  and  deluding  influ- 
ence of  foreign  powers  and  domeftic  factions,  would  be 
a  tafk  as  far  exceeding  my  abilities,  as  the  bounds  allot- 
ted to  the  preicnt  performance. 

BUT  can  any  perfon,  even  of  a  moderate  {"hare  of con- 
fideration,  candour  and  judgment,  fufped  that  this  great 
man  was  drawn  forth  from  a  retreat,  which  he  qffitres  us 
himfelf,  he  had  chofen  with  the  fondefl  predilection,  and 
in  his  own  flattering  hopes,  with  an  immutable  decifion, 
as  the  afylum  of  his  declining  years  $  a  retreat  that  was 
rendered  every  day  more  necelfary,  as  well  as  more  dear 
to  him  by  the  addition  of  habit  to  inclination,  and  of 
the  frequent  interruptions  in  his  health  to  the  gradual 
wafle  committed  on  it  by  time — can  any  perfon  believe 
that  this  great  man  was  thus  drawn  forth  to  alTume  a 
itation  of  the  higheft  labor,  difficulty  and  refponfibility, 
hy  any  other  motives  than  a  veneration  and  love  for  the 
voice  of  his  country,  and  a  pure  and  ardent  zeal  for  the 
promotion  of  her  deareft  intereft,  honour  and  happinefs  ? 
And  \yill  not  every  one  acknowledge  that,  from  the  long 

experiment 


experiment  which  had  been  made  of  his  virtues  and  a- 
bilities,  they  muft  have  juftly  appeared  to  his  countrymen 
more  equal  to  the  truft  he  confented  to  aflame,  than 
thofe  of  any  of  his  compatriots  ? 

DID  he  nominate  and  appoint  to  Rations  of  fuperior 
importance  men  whofe  political  fentiments  he  knew  to 
be  different  from  his  own  ?  This  was  an  expreffion  of 
the  independence  and  impartiality  of  his  heart,  and  was 
done  from  a  generous  preemption,  arifing  from  his  own 
confcious  integrity,  that  they  would  be  influenced  by  a 
facred  regard  to  the  honour  and  happinefs  of  their  coun- 
try, and  would  facrifke  their  own  private  fentiments  to 
the  public  good. 

AND  will  it  not  be  acknowledged  by  every  candid 
mind,  that  he  clearly  underftood,  and  faithfully  confult- 
ed  the  benefit  of  his  country,  in  taking,  decidedly,  a 
neutral  ftation  with  regard  to  the  contending  powers  of 
Europe,  and  in  ftudioufly  avoiding  the  calamity  of  being 
involved  in  the  diftracling  politics  and  deftruftive  wars 
of  the  European  Nations:  and  that  while  he  flrenuoufly 
cultivated  the  friendfliip  of  each,  he  was  rdigioufly 
faithful  and  afiiduous  to  acknowledge  the  claims,  refped: 
the  rights,  and  promote  the  intereft  and  honor  of  all  ? 

IF  his  talents,  his  meafures  and  exertions,  were,  in 
any  inftance,  ineffectual  to  the  execution  of  a  tafk  fo 
arduous  and  difficult,  where  is  the  man  whofe  talents 

and 


(    30    ) 

and  meafures  would  have  fecured  fuccefs  ?  Ant!  if,  in 
iome  inftances,  he  was  not  fo  happy  as  to  gratify  his 
own  wifhes  in  fatisfying  the  defires  and  expectations  of 
all  his  countrymen,  fuch  a  failure  cannot  be  ftrange  ;  to 
have  avoided  it,  muft  have  baffled  the  powers  of  an  an- 
gel, and  never  can  be  imputed  to  the  want  of  ability  or 
virtue  in  a  man.  And  as  his  conduct  in  the  adminiftra- 
tion  of  Government  was  full  of  dignity  and  excellence, 
fo  unexampled  an  evidence  of  his  modefty  and  modera- 
tion was  exhibited  in  his  voluntary  retirement  from  the 
higheft  ftation  and  firft  honors  of  his  country  to  the 
comparative  filence  and  obfcuvity  of  a  private  life.  And 
his  affectionate  zeal  for  the  honor  and  happinefs  of  his 
countrymen,  in  prefent  and  future  generations,  was 
difplayed  in  that  admired  Legacy  of  moral  and  political 
wifdom  and  exhortation,  which  he  bequeathed  to  them 
immediately  before  his  retirement. 

ONE  act  more  was  neceflary  tocompleat  his  characler, 
and  to  crown  his  moral,  political  and  military  virtues 
and  glories  with  that  height  of  perfection,  to  which 
they  were  deflined  to  arrive.  And  that  aft  he  performed 
by  a  cheerful  acceptance,  from  the  hands  of  our  moft 
worthy  Prefident,  of  an  appointment  to  the  office  of 
General  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  all  the  armies  railed, 
or  to  be  railed,  for  the  fervice  of  the  United  States — A 
principal  deiign  of  raifing  thefe  armies,  being  to  repel 
the  apprehended  attacks  or  invafions  of  a  powerful  and 
infidious  enemy ;  the  General  had  "  the  boundlefs 

field 


(     3'     ) 

field  of  public  a&ion,  inceffant  trouble  and  high  ref- 
ponfibility,"  which  fuch  a  defign  muft  comprehend, 
fully  in  view  ;  and  his  letter  to  the  Prefident,  announc- 
ing his  acceptance,  is  altogether  worthy  of  himfelf.  It 
breathes  the  warmed  fentimcnts  of  love  to  his  country, 
the  fulleft  approbation  of  the  firm,  but  pacific  meafures 
of  government,  a  juft  and  dignified  indignation  againft 
the  bafe  and  infidious  treatment  of  it,  by  its  enemies,  and 
a  determined  refolution  to  oppofe,  with  all  his  powers, 
their  unrighteous  and  hoflile  cefigns. 

<{  It  was  notpoflible,"  fays  he,  for  me  to  remain  igno- 
rant of  of  indifferent  to,  recent  tranfadtions."  Thefe 
tmn(a6lions  he  particularly  recites,  and  then  adds :  Thefe 
««  could  not  fail  to  excite  in  me  correfponding  fentiments 
with  thofe  my  countrymen  have  fo  generally  expreflcd 
in  their  affecYionate  addrefles  to  you.  Believe  me.  Sir, 
no  one  can  more  cordially  approve  of  the  ivife  and  prudent 
meafures  of  your  adminijlra tion.  They  ought  to  injpii  e  uni- 
verfal  confidence.  Satisfied  therefore  that  you  have  Jincere* 
ly  wijhed  and  endeavoured  to  avert  war,  andexhaujledto  the 
hjl  drop  the  cnp  of  reconciliation,  we  can  with  pure  hearts 
appeal  to  Heaven  for  thejujlice  of  our  caufe  ;  and  may  con- 
fidently truft  the  final  refult  to  that  kind  providence  zvbo  has 

heretofore,  and  Jo  often^fignally  favored  the  people  of  the  U- 
niied  States" 

"  Thinking  in  this  manner,  and  feeling  how  incum- 
bent it  is  upon  every  perfon,  of  every  defcripticn  to  con- 
tribute at  all  times  to  his  country's  welfare,  and  efpecial- 


. 
]y  in  a  moment  like  the  prefent,  when   every   thing  we 

hold  dear  and  facred  is  fo  ferioufly  threatened  ;  I  have 
finally  determined  to  accept  the  commiflion  of  comman- 
der in  chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States." 

Yes,  ye  fons  of  America,  ye  officers  and  foldiers,  who 
have  enjoyed  the  happinefs  and  glory  to  fertre  under  his 
unrivalled  command  in  former  years  of  your  country's 
danger,  and  are  indiflulubly  attached  to  him  by  the 
ftrongeil  ties  of  gratitude,  veneration  and  love — Your 
beloved  general  had  determined  again  to  clothe  himfelf 
in  armour,  and  to  expofe  that  venerable  head,  now 
grown  grey  and  facred  with  labours,  with  years  and  with 
honors,  to  the  hazards  of  the  hofli'.e  field,  in  defence  of 
the  liberty,  the  religion,  the  independence  and  glory  of 
his  country. — How  did  your  hearts  exult  in  the  prof- 
peel  ?  How  did  you  already  anticipate,  in  your  imagi- 
nations, the  idea  of  fuccefs  and  victory  ?  How  did  you 
feem  to  behold  the  defeat  of  your  enemies,  and  the  ter- 
ror and  confufion  which  feized  upon  their  fouls  at  the 
very  fight  of  your  Wamington  ! 

BUT  how  can  I  venture  toroufe  you  from  the  Reverie 
of  this  pleafmg  dream  ?  The  God  of  armies  had  ap- 
pointed him  to  a  conflict  of  a  far  different  kind.  To 
contend  with  the  only  enemy  by  whom  he  could  be  van- 
quilhed. 


{     33    ) 

u  Death  !  great  proprietor  of  all,  'tis  thine 
To  tread  out  Empires  and  to  quench  the  Stars  1" 
Thine  all-fubduing,  unrelenting  hand 
Has  laid  our  precious  Hero  in  the  duft  ! 
How  dsep  the  wound  infix 'd  in  every  heart  ? 

THE  fighs  ot  forroW  are  as  fincere  as  his  virtues,  and 
as  extenfive  as  his  fame — Our  churches  are  hung  with 
fables,  and  every  object  feems  clad  with  a  garment  of 
wo — The  countenances  of  the  young  and  the  fair  have 
loft  their  fmiles  j  their  faces  are  covered  with  a  gloom, 
and  their  eyes  fuffufed  with  tears — Children  lilp  the 
praifes  of  Walhington,  and  weep  that  he  is  dead — The 
hardy  bofoms  of  ftatefmen  and  warriors  are  foftened  with 
grief,  and  their  manly  eyes  do  not  difdain  to  pour  a  tri- 
bute of  tears  on  the  grave  of  their  own  and  their  coun- 
try's father  and  friend — Virtue  and  religion  lament  the 
lofs  of  their  favourite  fon — And  were  any  fo  obdurate  as 
riot  to  lament  it,  they  might  expect  that  the  plains,  the 
forefts  and  the  rocks,  which  have  witneflcd  his  virtues 
and  achievments,  would  reproach  their  ftupidity  by 
burfting  into  fighs  and  groans  ! 

AND  have  not  all  the  children  of  America  reafon  to 
tremble  at  the  frown  of  Heaven,  and  look  forward  with 
anxious  prefages  to  the  calamities  which  may  fucceed  fo 
doleful  an  harbinger  ?  Should  not  each  one  lay  his  hand 
on  his  heart,  and  afk  himfelf;  Whofe  fin  has  done  this 
execrable  deed  ?  Wai  it  mine  ?  Was  it  my  fin  whiff)  has 
Jlain  the  father  of  my  country  ?  0  let  me  tear  the  execrabk 
murderer  forever  from  my  heart — And  let  me  look  to  that 
E  gracious 


(    34    ) 

gracious  and  holy  Saviour,  with  penitence  and  hope,  who 
calls  me,  in  thefe  loud  accents  of  mingled  difpleafure  and 
mercy,  to  be  humble,  to  reform,  and  to  imitate,  to  the 
utmoft  of  my  power,  the  virtue  and  the  piety  of  that 
venerable  man,  whofe  death  I  fo  juftly  deplore — For 
though  I  mall  never  be  able  to  referable  their  magnitude, 
yet  I  may  hope  to  imitate  their  fincerity. 

AND  thofe  virtues,  and  efpecially  that  humble  and  un- 
affected piety,  which  was  the  bads  and  parent  of  them  all, 
and  which  elevated,  adorned  and  fanclified  his  other  il- 
juftrious  talents,  accomplimments,  and  fervices,  may  not 
only  ferve  as  an  example  for  imitation,  but  prove  a  fourcc 
of  confolation  to  our  wounded  fpirits.  We  may  be  con- 
foled  with  the  animating  confideration,  that  death  has 
only  hid  his  mortal  clay  to  fleep  for  a  feafon  in  the  filent 
tomb ;  but  that  every  thing  ufeful,  amiable  and  venera- 
ble in  his  capacious  foul,  lives,  and  will  live  and  fiourilh 
for  ever  in  the  happy  climes  of  immortality — 

AND  thefe  fuggeflions  are  not  the  incenfe  of  cuftomary 
flattery,  offered  on  the  altar  of  an  illuflrious  Tomb. — 
For  thofe,  who  had  the  moft  intimate  knowledge  of  the 
fentiments  of  his  heart,  and  the  actions  of  his  private 
life,  aflure  us,  that  he  was  a  ferious  and  exemplary  be- 
liever of  the  truths  and  precepts  of  our  holy  religion  ; 
that  he  was,  fo  far  as  their  obfervations  could  determine, 
aconftant  and  humble  performer  of  the  duties  of  fecret 
retirement  and  devotion  -,  and  that,  in  ail  the  trying 
fcencs  and  conjunctures  of  difficulty  and  diftrefs,  with 
which  he  was  called  to  encounter,  he  undoubtedly  had 

recourfe 


(     35    ) 

teccurfe  to  God  by  prayer  for  fupport,  defence  and  di- 
redion.  Hence  we  more  eafily  account  for  the  uniform 
conflancy,  dignity  and  excellence  of  his  character,  which, 
like  the  face  of  Mofes,  fhone  with  an  amiable  and  ven- 
erable luftre  derived  from  his  fecret  intercourfe  with  God : 
and  for  the  ultimate,  fignal  fuccefs  of  his  great  defigns, 
feeing,  for  their  accomp'.ifliment,  he  had  engaged  the 
alliance  and  afiiftance  of  heaven.  And  this  fpirit  of  piety 
and  devotion  was  evident  in  his  humble  and  devout  at- 
tendance on  the  facred  ordinances  of  public  wcrfliip  and 
religion.  A  folemn  acknowledgment  of  the  fupreme  do- 
minion of  the  moft  High,  of  conftant  dependence  on  his 
allwife  and  powerful  Providence,  and  of  great  obligations 
to  his  infinite  gocJnefs  and  mercy  for  all  public  and  pri- 
vate benefits,  were  frequently  introduced,  with  marks  of 
cordial  lincerity  and  fatisfadion,  into  iiich  public  ads, 
orders,  and  addreifes  as  were  of  a  nature  properly  to  admit 
of  fuch  an  acknowledgment — In  the  fpeech  which  he 
delivered  to  the  fir  ft  Congrefs,  under  the  new  Conftitu- 
tion,  he  fays  : — "  It  would  be  peculiarly  improper  to 
omit  in  this  firft  official  ad  my  fervent  fopplicatioas  to 
that  Almighty  Being,  who  rules  over  the  univerfe,  who 
prefides  in  the  Councils  of  Nations,  and  whofe  providen- 
tial aids  can  fupply  every  human  defed  ;  that  his  bene- 
didions  may  confecrate  to  the  liberties  and  happinefs  of 
the  people  of  the  United  States,  a  government  inftituted 
by  themfelves  for  thefe  eflcntial  purpofes,  and  may  ena- 
ble every  inftrument  employed  in  its  adminiftration,  to 
execute  with  fuccefs  the  fund  ions  allotted  to  his  charge. 
In  tendering  this  homage  to  the  great  Author  of  every 
public  and  private  good,  I  affure  myfeif  that  it  exprefics 

your 


(    36    ) 

your  fcntiments  not  lefs  than  my  own  ;  nor  thofe  of  my 
fel'ow  citizens  at  large  lefs  than  either.  No  people  can 
be  bound  to  acknowledge  and  adore  the  invifible  hand 
which  conducts  the  affairs  of  men,  more  than  the  people 
of  the  United  States.  Every  ftep,  by  which  they  have 
advanced  to  the  character  of  an  independent  Nation, 
ieems  to  have  been  diftinguifhed  by  fome  token  of  pro- 
vidential agency.  And  in  the  important  revolution  juft 
accomplimed  in  the  iyftem  of  their  united  government, 
the  tranquil  deliberations  and  voluntary  confent  of  fo 
many  diftin<5r.  communities,  from  which  the  event  has  re, 
fulted,  cannot  be  compared  with  the  means  by  which 
mod  Governments  have  been  eftablifhed,  without  fome 
return  of  pious  gratitude  along  with  an  humble  anticipaT 
tion  of  the  future  bleffings  which  the  pad  feem  to  prefage. 
Thefe  reflections  arifing  out  of  the  prefent  crifis,  have 
forced  themfelves  too,  ftrongly  on  my  mind  to  be  fuppreff. 
ed.  You  will  join  with  me,  I  truft,  in  thinking  there 
are  none  under  the  influence  of  which,  the  proceedings  of 
a  new  and  free  Government  can  more  aufpiciou%  com* 
mence."  In  a  following  paragraph  he  adds: — "  There 
is  no  truth  more  thoroughly  eftablimed,  than  that  there 
exifts  in  the  economy  and  courfe  of  nature,  an  indiflblu- 
ble  union  between  virtue  and  happinefs  ;  between  duty 
and  advantage  ;  between  the  genuine  maxims  of  an  hon- 
eft  and  magnanimous  policy,  and  the  folid  rewards  of 
public  profperity  and  felicity.  And  we  ought  to,  be  no 
Jefs  perfuaded  that  the  propitious  fmiles  of  Heaven  can 
never  be  expected  on  a  nation  that  difregards  the  eternal 
rules  of  order  and  right,  which  Heaven  itfelf  has,  ordain- 
ed.'* 

BOIB 


(    37    } 

BOLD  and  uncharitable  indeed  mud  be  the  lips*  which 
will  dare  to  infinuate,  that,  confidering  the  man,  and  the 
magnitude  of  the  occafion  on  which  he  uttered  thefe 
fentiments,  they  are  not  the  effufions  of  a  truly  pious 
and  magnanimous  heart. 

AND  thofe,  who  were  fpe&ators  and  witncfles  of  the 
folemn  fcene  of  his  laft  and  expiring  moments,  allure  Us, 
that  they  bore  an  exact  correfpondence  to  the  auguft 
and  amiable  tenor  of  his  preceding  life  and  actions ;  that 
his  foul  was  patient,  ferene,  and  undaunted  at  the  ap- 
proach of  death,  I  bat  he  clofed  bis  mouth  and  eyes  iviib  Us 
own  band,  and  expired  without  aflntggU  and  without  agrcan  ! 
O  !  blefled  man !  How  haft  thou  fled  forever  from  our 
fight  ?  But  thy  righteous  name  (hall  be  had  in  everlaft- 
ing  remembrance  !  Yet  what  is  that  to  thee,  if  thou  art 
fallen  proftrate,  funk  and  loft  forever  beneath  the  inexor- 
able Tiand  of  fate  ?  But  can  we,  can  we  ever  believe  that 
the  Many  the  Cbriftian,  the  Hero,  the  Saviour,  the  Father, 
the  Eoajl  and  Delight  of  his  country  ;  the  bright  affem- 
blage  of  every  amiable  aud  exalted  virtue,  the  example  of  good- 
tiffs  and  great nefs  to  the  Citizen,  the  Soldier,  the  Statef- 
jnan  and  the  General  ;  the  favourite  of  his  friends,  the  ter- 
ror of  bis  enemies,  the  glory  rf  his  fpecies  and  the  admiration 
of  the  world  ;  can  we  believe  that  he  has  funk  into  the 
drear}'  abyfs  of  eternal  nothingnefs  and  oblivion  ?  Can  we 
believe  that  the  man,  whom  many  millions  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  lament  with  fighs  of  undilTembled  forrovv,  whom 
thoufands  of  furviving  military  aflbciatcs  remember  with 
reverence  and  Jove,  and  deplore  with  vivid  emotions  of 

painful 


painful  regret,  is  forgotten  by  his  God?  And  forever  loft  in 
"  the  common  mafs  of  matter  never  dignified  with  life  ?" 
If  we  could  but  fufpeft,  that  fuch  were  his  myfterious  Dsf- 
tiny>  our  tears  might  flow  forever  without  hope  of  folid 
alleviation  to  our  diftrefs — Even  his  guardian  angels 
might  be  fuppofed  to  weep  over  this  dejtiny  of  their  late 
delightful  charge  ! 

BUT  they  do  not,  they  need  not  weep  j  for  Faith,  Hope, 
and  Chanty  faw  them,  though  invifible  to  mortal  eyes, 
fUnding  in  the  attitude  of  fufpence,  and  waiting,  with 
folemn  expectation,  around  his  dying  bed  ;  tney  beheld 
them  receive  his  mortal  fpirit,  when  fet  at  liberty  from 
the  ruins  of  its  body,  beneath  the  friendly  covert  of  their 
wide-extended  wings,  and  efcort  it  along  the  etherial 
road  to  the  realms  of  light,  and  to  the  tribunal  of  its 
Redeemer  and  Judge;  who  gave  to  this  his  faithful  fer- 
vant  his  full  acquittance  and  applaufe,  purged  away  the 
fpots  and  (tains  of  blamable  infirmity  and  imperfection, 
which  (till  adhered  to  him  as  a  fon  of  Adam's  fallen  race, 
and  then  adorned  him  with  a  crown  of  glory  and  a  robe 
ot  light*  They  fuw  the  faints,  the  holy  martyrs,  heroes 
and  angels,  thofe  blefled  inhabitants  of  the  bright  abodes, 
welcome  this  new-made  angel  to  their  blifsful  fociety,  as 
a  partner  and  alTociate  with  themfelves  in  all  that  celeftial 
liberty,  perfection,  bleflednefs  and  glory  which  will  beau- 
tify, improve  and  enrapture  their  immortal  natures 
throughout  all  ages,  world  without  end. 


THE 


THE 

ADDRESS 

OF    THE    LATE 

<§eorge  Washington, 

WHEN    PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES, 
On  declining  being  confidered 

A    CANDIDATE   FOR   THE    PRESIDENCY. 

TO  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

FRIEXDS    AXD    F  E  LI.O  W-C  IT  1ZK  N  S, 

A  HE  period  for  a  new  election  of  a  Citizen  to  admi- 
nifler  the  executive  government  of  the  United  States, 
being  not  far  diftant,  and  the  time  actually  arrived, 
when  your  thoughts  muft  be  employed  in  designating 
the  perfon,  who  is  to  be  clothed  with  that  important 
truft,  it  appears  to  me  proper,  efpecially  as  it  may  con- 
duce to  a  more  diflinci  expreflfion  of  the  public  voice, 
that  I  mould  now  apprife  you-  of  the  refolution  I  have 
formed,  to  decline  being  confidered  among  the  number 
of  thofe  out  of  whom  a  choice  is  to  be  made. 

I  BEG  you,  at  the  fame  time,  to  do  me  the  juftice  to 
be  affured,  that  this  refolution  has  not  been  taken,  with- 
out a  Uriel:  regard  to  all  the  confederations  appertaining 
to  the  relation  which  binds  a  dutiful  citizen  to  his  coun- 
try ;  and  that,  in  withdrawing  the  tender  of  fervice  which 
filence  in  my  fituation  might  imply,  I  am  influenced  by 
no  diminution  of  zeal  for  your  future  intereft  ;  no  defi- 
ciency 


(     40     ) 

ciency  of  grateful  refpeft  for  your  pad  kmdnefs  :  But 
am  fupported  by  a  full  conviction  that  the  ftep  is  com- 
patible with  both. 

The  acceptance  of,  anJ  continuance  hitherto  in  the 
office  to  which  your  fuffrages  have  twice  called  me, 
have  been  a  uniform  facrifice  of  inclination  to  the  opini- 
on of  duty,  and  to  a  deference  for  what  appeared  to  be 
your  defire.  I  conftandy  hoped  that  it  would  have  been 
much  earlier1  in  my  povvw,  confidently  with  motives, 
which  I  was  not  at  liberty  to  difregard,  to  return  to  that 
retirement,  from  which  1  had  been  reluctantly  drawn. 
The  ftrength  of  my  inclination  to  do  this,  previous  to 
the  laft  election,  had  even  led  to  the  preparation  of  an 
addrefs  to  declare  it  to  you  ;  but  mature  reflection  on 
the  then  perplexed  and  critical  pofture  of  affairs  with 
foreign  nations,  and  the  unanimous  advice  of  perfons 
entitled  to  my  confidence,  impelled  me  to  abandon  the 
idea. 

I  REJOICE,  that  the  ftate  of  your  concerns  external  as 
well  as  internal,  no  longer  renders  the  purluit  of  inclina- 
tion incompatible  with  the  fentiment  of  duty  or  propri- 
ety :  And  am  perfuaded  whatever  partiality  may  be  re- 
tained for  my  fervices,  that  in  the  prefent  circumftances 
of  our  country,  you  will  not  difapprove  my  determination 
to  retire. 

THE  impreflions  with  which  I  firft  undertook  the  ar- 
duous truft,  were  explained  on  the  proper  occafion.  In 
the  difchargeof  this  truft,  I  will  only  fay,  that  I  have 
\vithgood  intentions,  contributed  towards  the  organiza- 
tion and  adminiftration  of  the  government,  the  beft  ex- 
ertions of  which  a  very  fallible  judgment  was  capable. 

Not 


Not  unconfcious,  in  the  outfet,  of  the  inferiority  of  my 
qualifications,  experience  in  my  own  eyes,  perhaps  ftill 
more  in  the  eyes  of  others,  has  (lengthened  the  motives 
to  diffidence  of  myfelf  :  and  every  day  the  increafmg 
weight  of  years  admonilhes  me  more  and  more,  that  the 
{"hade  of  retirement  is  as  neceflary  to  me,  as  it  will  be 
welcome.  Satisfied,  that  if  any  circumftances  have  given 
peculiar  value  to  my  fervices,  they  were  temporary,  I 
have  the  confolation  to  believe,  that  while  choice  and 
prudence  invite  me  to  quit  the  political  itfene,  patrio- 
tifm  does  not  forbid  it» 

IN  looking  forward  to  the  moment,  which  is  intended 
to  terminate  the  career  of  my  public  life,  my  feelings  do 
not  permit  me  to  fufpend  the  deep  acknowledgment  of 
that  debt  of  gratitude,which  I  owe  to  my  beloved  coun* 
try,  for  the  many  honors  it  has  conferred  upon  me  ;  flill 
more  for  the  ftedfaft  confidence  with  which  it  has  fup- 
ported  me  j  and  for  the  opportunities  I  have  thence  en- 
joyed of  manifefting  my  inviolable  attachment  by  fervi- 
ces faithful  and  perfevering,  though  in  ufefulnefs  unequal 
to  my  Zeal.  If  benefits  have  refuhed  to  our  country 
from  thefe  fervices,  let  it  always  be  remembered  to  our 
praife,&  as  an  inftru&ive  example  in  ouf  annals,that  under 
circumftances  in  which  the  pafllons,  agitated  in  every  di- 
rection, were  liable  to  miflead,  arnidft  appearances  fome- 
times  dubious,-^-vicifiitudes  of  fortune,  often  difcoura* 
ging  in  fituations,  in  which  not  unfrequently  want  of 
fuccefs  has  countenanced  the  fpirit  of  criticifm — the 
conftancy  of  your  fupport  was  the  eltential  prop  of  the 
efforts,  and  a  guarantee  of  the  plans  by  which  they  were 
effected.  Profoundly  penetrated  with  this  idea  I  fhali 

F 


(     4*    ) 

cany  it  with  me  to  my  grave,  as  a  ilrong  Incitement  to 
unceafing  vo\\s,  that  Hssven  may  continue  to  you  the 
choiceft  tokens  of  its  beneficence — that  your  union  and 
brotherly  affection  may  be  perpetual — that  the  free  Con- 
fUtuticn,  v.hich  is  the  work  of  your  hands,  may  be  fa- 
credly  maintained — that  its  adminiftration  in  every  de- 
partment may  be  (lamped  with  wifdom  and  virtue  — 
that,  in  fine,  the  happinefs  of  the  people  of  thefe  ftates, 
under  the  aufpices  of  liberty,  may  be  made  complete, 
by  fo  careful  a  prefervation  and  fo  prudent  a  ufe  of  this 
bleffing,  as  will  acquire  to  them  the  glory  of  recommend- 
ing it  to  the  applaufe,  the  affection,  and  adoption  of  ev- 
ery nation  which  is  yet  a  ftranger  to  it. 

HERE  perhaps,  I  ought  to  (lop.  But  folicitude  for 
your  welfare,  which  cannot  end  but  with  my  life,  and 
the  apprehenfion  of  danger  natural  to  that  folicitude, 
urge  me  en  an  occafion  like  the  prefent,  to  offer  to  your 
folemn  contemplation,  and  to  recommend  to  your  fre- 
quent review,  ibme  fentiments  which  are  the  refult  of 
much  reflection,  of  no  inccnfiderable  cbfervation,  and 
which  appear  to  me  all-important  to  the  permanency  of 
ycur  felicity  as  a  people.  Thefe  will  be  offered  to  you 
with  the  more  freedom,  as  you  can  only  feel  in  them 
the  dilmtercfted  warnings  of  a  parting  friend,  who  can 
pofllbly  have  no  perfonal  motive  to  bias  his  counfel. 
Nor  can  I  forget,  as  an  encouragement  to  it,  your  in- 
dulgent reception  of  my  fentiments  on  a  former  and  not 
diflimihr  occafion. 

INTERWOVEN  as  is  the  love  of  liberty  with  every  liga- 
ment of  your  hearts,  no  recommendation  of  mine  is  ne- 
ceflary  to  fortify  or  confirm  the  attachment. 

THE  unity  of  Government  which  conftitutes  you  one 


(     43     ) 

people,  is  alfo  now  dear  to  you.  It  is  juftly  fo  ;  for  it  is 
.ain  pillar  in  the  edifice  of  your  real  Independence, 
the  fapport  of  your  tranquility  at  home,  your  peace 
abroad  ;  of  yocr  fafety  ;  of  your  profprrity ;  of  that  very 
liberty  which  you  fo  highly  prize.  But,  as  it  is  eafy  to 
forefee,  that  from  different  caufes  and  from  different 
quarters,  much  pains  wi!l  be  taken,  m:  em- 

ployed, to  weaken  in  your  minds  the  convict-on  of  this 
truth,  as  this  is  the  point  in  your  Icrtrefs,  againfl 

which  the  batteries  of  internal  and  external  enemies  will 
be  moft  conftantly  and  (though  often  corertly 

and  infidioufly)  directed,  it  is  of  infinite  moment  that 
you  Ih:  perly  eft.  t  immenfe  value  of  your 

National  Union,  to  your  colle&ive  and  individual  hap- 
pinefc  j  that  you  (hould  cherifti  a  cordial,  habitual  and 
immoveabic  attachment  to  it  ;  accuftoming  your'e 
to  think  and  fpeak  of  it  as  o:  the  piiladium  of  your  po- 
litical iafety  and  prcfperity,  watching  ic:  .ervation 
with  jealous  ar  diicountenancing  whatever  may 
iuggeft  even  a  lufpicion  that  it  can  in  any  event  be  aban- 
doned ;  and  indignantly  frowning  upon  the  firfl  dawn- 
ing of  every  attempt  to  alienate  any  portion  ot  our  coun- 
try from  the  reft,  or  to  enfeeble  the  lacred  ties  which 
now  link  together  the  various  parts. 

FOR  this  you  have  every  inducement  of  fympalhyand 
interelL     Citiz:  birth  or  choice,  of  a  common 

country,  that  country  has  a  right  to  concentrate  • 
affections.       The  name  of  American,  which  belongs  to 
you  in  your  nations  y,  muft  always  exalt  the  juft 

pride  of  patriotifm,  more  than  any  appellation  derived 
from  local  difcriminations.  With  flight  fhade*  of  differ- 
ence you  have  the  fame  religion,  manners,  habits  and 


(     44     ) 

political  principles.  You  have  in  a  common  caufe  fought 
and  triumphed  together  ;  the  Independence  and  Liberty 
you  pofiefs  are  the  work  of  joint  councils,  and  joint  ef- 
forts, of  common  dangers,  fufferings  and  fuccefles. 

BUT  thefe  confiderations  however  powerfully  they  ad- 
dr^fs  themfelves  to  your  fenfibility,  are  greatly  out- 
weighed by  thofe  which  apply  more  immediately  to  your 
inteieft.  Here  every  portion  of  our  country  finds  the 
moft  commanding  motives  for  carefully  guarding  and 
preferving  the  union  of  the  whole. 

The  North  in  an  unreftrained  intercourfe  -with  the 
South,  protected  by  the  equal  laws  of  a  common  gov- 
ernment, finds  in  the  production,  of  the  latter,  great  ad- 
ditional refources  of  maritime  and  commercial  enter- 
prife,  and  precious  materials  of  manufacturing  induftry. 
The  South  in  the  fame  intercoude,  benefitting  by  the 
agency  of  the  North,  fees  its  agriculture  grow,  and  its 
commerce  expand.  Turning  partly  into  its  own  chan- 
nels the  fcamen  of  the  North,  it  finds  its  particular  na- 
vigation invigorated — and  while  it  contributes,  in  dif^ 
ferent  ways,  to  nourifh  and  increafe  the  general  mafs  of 
the  national  navigation,  it  looks  forward  to  the  protec- 
tion of  a.  maritime  ftrength,  to  which  itfelf  is  unequal- 
ly adapted.  The  Eaft  in  a  like  intercourfe  with  the 
Weft,  already  finds,  and  in  the  progreflive  improvement 
pf  interior  communications,  by  land  and  water,  will 
more  and  more  find  a  valuable  vent  for  the  commodities 
which  it  brings  from  abroad,  or  manufactures  at  home. 
The  Weft  derives  from  the  Eaft  fupplits  requifite  to  its 
growth  and  comfort-— and  what  is  perhaps  of  ftill  greater 
coniequence  it  mtift  of  neceffity  owe  the  fecure  enjoy- 
fiientpf  indiipeniabje  outlets  for  its  own  productions  to 


(    45     ) 

the  weight,  influence,  and  the  future  maritime  ftrength 
of  the  Atlantic  fide  of  the  union,  directed  by  an  indiflb- 
luble  community  of  intereft  as  one  nation.  Any  other 
tenure  by  which  the  Weft  can  hold  this  eflential  advan- 
tage whether  derived  from  its  own  feparate  ftrength,  or 
from  an  apoftate  and  unnatural  connection  with  any 
foreign  power,  muft  be  intrinfically  precarious. 

WHILE  then  every  part  of  our  country  thus  feels  an 
immediate  and  particular  intereft  in  union,  all  the 
parts  combined  cannot  fail  to  find  in  the  united  mafs  of 
means  and  efforts,  greater  ftrength,  greater  refource,  pro- 
portionably  greater  fecurity,  from  external  danger,  a  lefs 
frequent  interruption  of  their  peace  by  foreign  nations; 
and  what  is  of  ineftimable  value  !  they  muft  derive  from 
union  an  exemption  from  thofe  broils  and  wars  between 
themfelves,  which  fo  frequently  afflidl  neighbouring 
countries,  not  tied  together  by  the  fame  government  ; 
which  their  own  rivalfhips  alone  would  be  fufficient  to 
produce,  but  which  oppofite  foreign  alliances,  attach- 
ments and  intrigues  would  ftimulate  and  imbitter. — • 
Hence  likevvife  they  will  avoid  the  neceffity  of  thofe 
overgrown  military  eftablifhments,  which  under  any 
form  of  government  are  inauipicious  to  liberty,  and 
which  are  to  be  regarded  as  particularly  hoftile  to  Re- 
publican Liberty  :  In  this  fenfe  it  is,  that  your  union 
ought  to  be  confidered  as  a  main  prop  of  your  liberty, 
and  that  the  love  of  the  one  ought  to  endear  to  you  the 
prefervation  of  the  other. 

Thefe  confiderations  fpeak  a  perfuafive  language  to 
every  reflecting  and  virtuous  mind,  and  exhibit  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  UKION  as  a  primary  object  of  a  patriotic 
Uefiret  Is  there  3  doubt,  whether  a  common  govern- 


(     4«     )' 

ment  can  embrace  fo  large  a  fphere  ? — Let  experience 
iblve  it.  To  liften  to  mere  fpeculation  in  fuch  a  cafe 
were  criminal.  We  are  authorifed  to  hope  that  a  pro- 
per organization  of  the  whole,  with  the  auxiliary  agency 
of  governments  for  the  refpec~tive  fubdivifions,  will  af- 
ford a  happy  iffue  to  the  experiment.  It  is  well  worth 
a  fair  and  a  full  experiment  With  fuch  powerful 
and  obvious  motives  to  the  union,  affeding  all 
parts  of  our  country,  while  experiment  fhall  not  have 
demonftrated  its  impracticability,  there  will  always  be 
reafon  to  diftruft  the  patriotifm  of  thofe,  who  in  any 
quarter  may  endeavour  to  weaken  its  bands. 

In  contemplating  the  caufes  which  may  difturb  our 
union,  it  occurs  as  matter  of  ferious  concern,  that  any 
ground  fhould  be  furnifhed  for  characlerifmg  parties,  by 
Geographical  difcriminations — Northern  and  Southern 
— Atlantic  and  Weftern  ;  whence  defigning  men  may 
endeavour  to  excite  a  belief,  that  there  is  a  real  differ- 
ence of  local  interefts  and  views.  One  of  the  expedients 
of  party  to  acquire  influence,  within  particular  diftriifls, 
is  to  mifreprefent  the  opinions  and  aims  of  other  dif- 
trifls.  You  cannot  fhield  yourfelves  too  much  aga'mft 
the  jealoufies  and  heart  burnings  which  fpring  from  thefe 
mifreprefentations ;  they  tend  to  render  alien  to  each 
other  thofe  who  ought  to  be  bound  together  by  frater- 
nal affection.  The  inhabitants  of  our  weftern  country 
have  lately  had  a  ufetul  leffon  on  this  head  :  They  have 
feen,  in  the  negotiation  by  the  Executive,  and  in  the 
unanimous  ratification  by  the  Senate,  of  the  treaty  with 
Spain,  and  in  the  univerfal  fatisfadlion  at  that  event 
throughout  the  United  States,  a  decifive  proof  how  un- 
founded were  the  fufpicions  propagated  among  them,  of 


(    47     ) 

a  policy  in  the  general  government  and  in  the  Atlantic 
States  unfriendly  to  their  interefts  in  regard  to  the  Mif- 
fifippi  ;  they  have  been  witnefles  to  the  formation  of 
two  treaties,  that  with  Great  Britain  and  that  with  Spain, 
which  fecure  to  them  every  thing  they  could  defire,  in 
refpeft  to  our  foreign  relations,  towards  confirming  their 
profperity.  Will  it  not  be  their  wifdom  to  rely  for  the 
prefervation  of  thefe  advantages  on  the  UNION  by  which 
they  were  procured  ?  Will  they  not  henceforth  be  deaf  to 
thofe  advifers,  if  fuch  they  are,  who  would  fever  them 
from  their  brethren,  and  connect  them  with  aliens  ? 

To  the  efficacy  and  permanency  of  your  union,  a  gov- 
ernment for  the  whole  is  indifpenfabie.  No  alliances, 
however  flrict  between  the  parts  can  be  an  adequate 
iubftitute ;  they  will  inevitably  experience  the  infractions 
and  interruptions  which  all  alliances  in  all  times  have  ex- 
perienced— Senfible  of  this  momentous  truth,  you  have 
improved  upon  your  firft  efiay,  by  the  adoption  of  a 
constitution  of  government  better  calculated  than  your 
former  for  an  intimate  union,  and  for  the  efficacious 
management  of  your  common  concerns.  This  govern- 
ment the  offspring  of  your  own  choice,  uninfluenced  and 
unawed,  adopted  upon  full  inveftigation  and  mature  deli- 
beration, completely  free  in  its  principles,  in  the  diftri- 
bution  of  its  powers,  uniting  fecurity  with  energy,  and 
containing  within  itfelf  a  provifion  for  its  own  amend- 
ment, has  a  juft  claim  to  your  confidence  and  your  fup* 
port.  Refpecl:  for  its  authority,  compliance  with  its 
laws,  acquiefcence  in  its  meafures,  are  duties  enjoined  by 
the  fundamental  maxims  of  true  liberty.  The  bafis  of 
our  political  fyftems  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  make 
txnd  to  alter  their  conftitutions  of  government.  But  the 


'      ** 

v    40    ; 

conftitution  which  at  any  time  exifts,  until  changed  by 
an  explicit  and  authentic  act  of  the  whole  people,  is  fa- 
credly  obligatory  upon  all.  The  very  idea  of  the  power 
and  the  right  of  the  people  to  eftablilh  government,  pre- 
fuppofes  the  duty  of  every  individual  to  obey  the  eftab- 
lithed  government. 

ALL  obftructions  to  the  execution  of  the  laws,  all  com- 
binations and  affociations,  under  whatever  plaufible  cha- 
racter, with  the  real  defign  to  direct,  controul,  counteract 
or  awe  the  regular  deliberation  and  action  of  the  confti- 
tuted  authorities,  are  deftructive  of  this  fundamental 
principle,  and  of  fatal  tendency.  They  ferve  to  organize 
faction,  to  give  it  an  artificial  and  extraordinary  force- 
to  put  in  the  place  of  the  delegated  will  of  the  nation, 
the  will  of  a  party,  often  a  fmall  but  artful  and  enter- 
prifmg  minority  of  the  community ;  and  according  to 
the  alternate  triumphs  of  different  parties,  to  make  the 
public  adminittration  the  mirror  of  the  ill  concerted  and 
incongruous  projects  of  faction  rather  than  the  organ  of 
confident  and  wholefome  plans  digefted  by  common 
councils  and  modified  by  mutual  interefts. 

HOWEVER  combinations  or  affociations  of  the  above 
delcription,  may  now  and  then  anfwer  popular  ends,  they 
are  likely  in  the  courfe  of  time  and  things,  to  become 
potent  engines,  by  which  cunning,  ambitious  and  un- 
principled  men,  will  be  enabled  to  fubvert  the  power  of 
the  people,  and  to  ufurp  for  themfelves  the  reins  of  go- 
vernment ;  deftroying  afterwards  the  very  engines  which 
huve  lifted  them  to  unjuft  dominion. 

TOWARDS  the  prefervation  of  your  government,  and 
the  permanency  of  your  prefent  happy  flate,  it  is  requi- 
fite  not  only  that.rou  ft eadily  difcountenance  irregular 


(     49     ) 

t>ppofition  to  its  acknowledged  authority,  but  alfo  fiidl 
you  refill  with  care,  the  fpirit  of  innovation  upon  its 
principles,  however  fpecious  the  pretexts.     One  method 
of  afiault  may  be  to  effect,  in  the  forms  of  the  conftitu- 
tion,   alterations  which  will  impair  the  energy  of  the 
fyftem,  and  thus  to  undermine  what  cannot  be  directly 
overthrown.      In  all  the  changes  to  which  you  may  be 
invited,  remember  that  time  and  habit  are  at  lead  as  ne- 
ceffary  to  fix  the  true  character  of  government,  as  ot? 
other  human  inftitutions  ;  that  experience  is  the  fureft 
(landard,  by  which  to  telt  the  real  tendency  of  the  exift- 
ing  constitution  of  a  country— that  facility  in  changes 
upon  the  credit  of  mere  hypothefis  and  opinion,  expofes 
to  perpetual  change,  from  the  endlefs  variety  of  hypothe- 
fis and  opinion  j  and  remember,  efpecially,  that  for  the 
efficient  management  of  your   common   intereft,  in  a 
country  fo  extenfive  as  ours,  a  government  of  as  much 
vigor  as  is  confident  with  the  perfect  fecurity  of  liberty 
is  indifpenfable.     Liberty  itfelf  will  find  in  fuch  a  go- 
vernment, with  powers  properly  diflribu ted  and  adjufted* 
its  fureft  guardian.    It  is,  indeed,  little  elfe  than  a  name, 
where  the  government  is  too  feeble  to  withftand  the  en- 
terprifes  of  faction,  to  confine  each  member  of  the  fociety 
within  the  limits  preicribed  by  the  laws,  and  to  main- 
tain all  in  the  fecure  and  tranquil  enjoyment  of  the  rights 
of  perfon  and  property. 

I  HAVE  already  intimated  to  you,  the  danger  of  parties 
in  the  ftate,  with  particular  reference  to  the  founding  of 
them  on  geographical  difcriminations;  Let  me  now 
take  a  more  comprehenfive  view  and  warn  you  in  the 
mod  folemn  manner  againft  the  baneful  effects  of  a  fpirit 
«f  party,  generally.  G 


(     5°    ) 

THIS  fpirit,  unfortunately,  is  infeparable  from  our  na- 
ture, having  its  root  in  the  ftrongeft  paflions  of  the  human 
mind.  It  exifts  under  different  ihapes  in  all  govern- 
ments— more  or  Jefsflifled,controuJed,  orreprelfcd  ;  but 
in  thofe  of  the  popular  form,  it  is  feen  in  its  greateil 
fanknefs  and  is  truly  their  worft  enemy. 

THE  alternate  domination  of  one  faction  over  another, 
fhaipened  by  the  fpirit  of  revenge,  natural  to  party  dif- 
fention,  which  in  different  ages  and  countries  has  perpe- 
trated the  moft  horrid  enormities,  is  itfelf  a  frightful  def- 
potifm — But  this  bads  at  length  to  a  more  formal  and 
permanent  defpotifm.  The  diforders  and  miferies,which 
refult,  gradually  incline  the  minds  of  men  to  feek  fecurity 
and  repofe  in  the  abfolute  power  of  an  individual  j  and 
focner  or  later  the  chief  of  fome  prevailing  faction,  more 
able  or  more  fortunate  than  his  competitors,  turns  this 
difpofition  to  the  purpofes  of  his  own  elevation,  on  the 
ruins  of  Public  Liberty. 

WITHOUT  looking  forward  to  an  extremity  of  this  kind 
(which  neverthelcfs  ought  not  to  be  entirely  out  of  fight) 
the  common  and  continual  mifchiefs  of  the  fpirit  of  par- 
ty are  fnincient  to  make  it  the  intereft  and  duty  of  a 
wife  people  to  difcourage  and  reftrain  it. 

IT  ierves  always  to  dtftraft   the  Puplic  Councils  and 
enfeeble    the  Public  Adminiflration.      It  agitates  the 

o 

community  with  ill  founded  jealoufies  and  falfe  alarms  j 
kindles  the  animofity  of  one  part  againft  another, 
foments  occafionally  riot  and  in  fur  reel  ion.  It  opens  the 
door  to  foreign  influence  and  corruption,  which  find  a 
facilitated  accefs  to  the  government  itfelf  through  the 
channels  of  party  pafifans.  Thus  tue  policy  and  will  of 


one  country  are  fubjected  to  the  policy  and  will  of  Ano- 
ther. 

THERE  is  an  opinion  that  parties  in  free  countries  arc 
ufeful  checks  upon  the  adminiftration  of  the  government, 
and  Icrve  to  keep  alive  the  fpirit  of  Liberty. — This  with- 
in certain  limits  is  probably  true,  and  in  governments  of 
a.  monarchial  caft,  patriotifm  may  look  with  indulgence, 
if  not  with  favour  upon  the  ipirit  of  party.  But  in  thofe 
of  the  popu)ar  character,  in  governments  purely  elective, 
it  is  a  fpirit  not  to  he  encouraged. — From  their  natural 
tendency  it  is  certain  there  will  always  be  enough  of  that 
fpirit  for  every  falutary  purpofe.  And  there  being  con- 
ftant  danger  of  excels,  the  effort  ought  to  be  by  force  of 
public  opinion,  to  mitigate  and  affuage  it.  A  fire  not  to 
be  quenched  ;  it  demands  uniform  vigilance  to  prevent 
its  burfting  into  a  flame,  lead  inftead  of  warming  it  fhould 
confume. 

IT  is  important  likewifc,  that  the  habits  of  thinking 
in  a  free  country,  fliould  infpire  caution  in  thofe  entruft- 
ed  with  its  adminiftration,  to  confine  themfelves  within 
their  refpective  constitutional  fpheres,  avoiding  in  the  ex- 
ercife  of  the  powers  of  one  department  to  encroach  up- 
on another.  The  fpirit  of  encroachment  tends  to  con- 
folidate  the  powers  of  all  the  departments  in  one,  and 
thus  to  create,  whatever  the  form  of  government,  a  real 
defpotifm.  Ajuft  eflirnate  of  that  love  of  power,  and 
proneners  to  abufe  it,  which  predominates  in  the  human 
heart  is  fufficient  to  fatisfy  us  of  the  truth  of  this  pofition. 
Tho  neceffity  of  reciprocal  checks  in  the  exercife  of  the 
political  power  ;  by  dividing  and  distributing  it  into  dif- 
ferent depofitories,  and  conflituting  each  the  guardian  ot 
he  public  weal  againft  invafions  by  the  others,  has  been? 


evinced  by  experiments  ancient  and  modern  j  fome  ef 
them  in  our  country  and  under  our  own  eyes.  To  pre-^ 
ierye  them  muft  be  as  neceHary  as  to  inftitute  them.  If, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  people,  the  diftribution  or  modifi- 
cation, of  the  conftitutional  powers  be  in  any  particular 
wrong,  let  it  be  corrected  by  an  amendment  in  the  way 
\vhich  the  conftitution  defignates — But  let  there  be  no 
change  by  ufurpation  ;  for  though  this,  in  one  inftance, 
may  be  the  inftrument  of  good,  it  is  the  cuftomary  wea- 
pon by  which  free  governments  are  deftroyed — The  pre- 
cedent rnuft  always  greatly  overbalance  in  permanent 
evil  any  partial  or  tranlient  benefit  which  the  ufe  can  at 
any  time  yield. 

Of  all  the  diipofitions  and  habits  which  lead  to  polit- 
ical profperity,  Religion  and  Morality  are  indifpenfable 
(upports.  In  vain  would  that  man  claim  the  tribute  of 
patriotifm,  who  would  labor  to  fubvert  thefe  great  pillars 
of  human  happinefs,  thefe  firmed  props  of  the  duties  of 
men  and  citizens.  The  mere  politician,  equally  with 
the  pious  man  ought  to  refpect  and  to  cherifh  them. — A 
volume  could  not  trace  all  their  connections  with  private 
and  public  felicity.  Let  it  fimply  be  afked,  where  is  the 
lecurity  for  property,  for  reputation,  for  life,  if  the  fenfe 
of  religious  obligation  defert  the  oaths  which  are  the  in- 
flruments  of  investigation  in  Courts  of  Juflice  ? — And 
let  us  with  caution  indulge  the  fuppofition,  that  moral- 
icy  can  be  maintained  without  religion.  Whatever  may 
be  conceded  of  the  influence  of  refined  education  en 
minds  of  peculiar  ftructure,  reafon  and  experience  both 
forbid  us  to  expeft  that  national  morality  can  prevail  in 

fion  of  religious  princiffles. 
IT  is  {ubftantially  true,    that  virtue  or  morality  is  a 


(    53    ) 

neceflary  fpring  of  popular  government.  The  rule  in- 
deed extends  with  more  or  lels  force  to  every  Ipecies  of 
free  government.  Who  that  is  a  fincere  friend  to  it  can 
look  with  indifference  upon  attempts  to  (hake  the  foun- 
dation of  the  fabric  ? 

PROMOTE,  then,  as  an  object  of  primary  importance, 
inftitutions  for  the  general  diffufion  of  knowledge.  In 
proportion  as  the  ftructure  of  a  government  gives  force 
to  public  opinion,  it  is  eflential  that  public  opinion  fhould 
be  enlightened. 

As  a  very  important  fource  of  ftrength  and  fecurity, 
cherim  public  credit — One  method  ofpreferving  it  is  to 
u(e  it  as  fparingly  as  poflible  ;  avoiding  occafions  of  ex- 
pence  by   cultivating  peace,  but  remembering  alfo  that 
timely  dilburfements  to  prepare  for  dangers,  frequently 
prevent  much  greater  difburfements  to  repel  it.     Avoid- 
ing likewiie  the  accumulation  of  debt,  not  only  by  (hun- 
ning  occafions  of  expence,  but  by  vigorous  exertions  in 
time  of  peace  to  difcharge  the  debts  which  unavoidable 
wars  may  have  occafioned,  not  ungeneroufly    throwing 
upon  pofterity  the  burthen  which  we  ourfelves  ought  to 
bear.      The  execution  of  thefe  maxims  belongs  to  your 
reprefentatives,  but  it  is  neceffary  that  public  opinion 
fhould  co-operate.     To  facilitate  to  them  the  perform- 
ance of  their  duty,  it  is  eflential  that  you  mould  practi- 
cally bear  in  mind   that  towards  the  payment  of  debts 
there  muft  be  revenue  , — that  to  have  revenue  there  muft 
be  taxes — and  none  can  be  devifed  which  are  not  more 
or  lefs  inconvenient  and  unpleafant — that  the  intrinfic 
embarraflinent  infeperable  from  the  (election  of  the  pro- 
per objects  (which  is  always  a  choice  of  difficulties) — 
£ught  to  be  a  decifive  motive  for  a  candid  ccnftruction 


t    54    ) 

of  the  conduct  of  the  government  in  making  it,  and  for 
a  fpirit  of  acquiefcence  in  the  meafures  for  obtaining  re- 
venue which  the  public  exigencies  may  at  any  time  dictate. 

Obferve  good  faith  and  juftice  towards  all  nations — 
cultivate  peace  and  harmony  with  all — Religion  and 
morality  enjoin  this  conduct  ;  and  can  it  be,  that  good 
policy  does  not  equally  enjoin  it  ?  Jt  will  be  worthy  of 
a  free,  enlightened,  and  (at  no  diflant  period)  a  great 
nation,  to  give  to  mankind  the  magnanimous  and  too 
novel  example  of  a  people  always  guided  by  an 
exalted  juftice  and  benevolence.  Who  can  doubt 
that  in  the  courfe  of  time  and  things,  the  fruits  of  fucli 
a  plan  would  richly  repay  any  temporary  advantages 
which  might  be  loft  by  a  Ready  adherence  to  it  ?  Can 
it  be,  that  Providence  has  not  connected  the  permanent 
felicity  of  a  nation  with  Virtue  ?  The  experiment,  at 
lead,  is  recommended  by  every  fentiment  which  eno- 
bles  human  nature.  Alas !  is  it  rendered  impofiiblc 
by  its  vices  ? 

In  the  execution  of  fuch  a  plan,  nothing  is  more  ef- 
fenfial  than  that  permanent,  inveterate  antipathies  againfl 
particular  nations,  and  paffionate  attachments  for  others 
Ihould  be  excluded ;  and  that  in  the  place  of  them,  juil 
and  amicable  feelings  towards  all  (hould  be  cultivated. — 
The  nation,  which  indulges  towards  another  an  habitual 
hatred,  or  an  habitual  fondnefs,  is  in  fome  degree  a 
flave;  It  is  a  Have  to  its  animoftty  or  to  its  affedtion, 
either  of  which  is  fufficient  to  lead  it  aftray  from  its  duty 
and  its  intereft.  Antipathy  in  one  nation  againft  ano- 
ther difpofes  each  more  readily  to  offer  infult  and  injury, 
to  lay  hold  of  flight  caufes  of  u&brage,  and  to  be  hsugh* 


(    55    ) 

ty  and  intractable,  when  accidental  or  trifling  occafions 
of  difpute  occur. 

Hence  frequent  coliifions,  obftinate,  envenomed  and 
bloody  conteits.  The  nation,  prompted  by  ill  will  and 
refentment,  fometimes  impels  to  war  the  government, 
contrary  to  the  bed  calculations  of  policy.  The  gov- 
ernment fometimes  participates  in  the  national  proper 
fity,  and  adopts  through  pafiion  what  reafon  would  re- 
ject ;  at  other  times,  it  makes  the  animofity  of  the  nation 
fubiervient  to  projects  of  hoftility  inftigated  by  pride, 
ambition  and  other  finifter  and  pernicious  motives.  The 
peace  often,  fometimes  perhaps  the  liberty,  of  nations 
has  been  the  victim. 

So  likewife,  a  paffionate  attachment  of  one  nation  for 
another  induces  a  variety  of  evils.  Sympathy  for  the 
favorite  nations  facilitating  the  illufion  of  an  imaginary 
common  intereft,  in  cafes  where  no  real  common  intereft 
exifts,  and  infufing  into  one  the  enmities  of  the  other, 
betrays  the  former  into  a  participation  in  the  quarrels 
and  wars  o(  the  latter,  without  adequate  inducement  or 
juftification.  It  leads  alfo  to  conceffions  to  the  favorite 
nation  of  privileges  denied  to  others  which  is  apt  doubly 
to  injure  the  nation  making  the  conceffions  ;  by  un- 
necefi-mly  parting  with  what  ought  to  have  been  retain- 
ed ;  and  by  exciting  jealoufy,  ill-will,  a  difpofition  to  re- 
taliate, in  the  parties  from  whcm  equal  privileges  are 
witheld  : — And  it  gives  to  ambitious,  corrupted  or  de- 
Juded  citizens  (who  devote  themfelves  to  the  favorite  na- 
tion) facility  to  betray,  or  facrifke  the  inrerefts  of  their 
own  country,  without  odium,  fometimes  even  with  pop- 
ularity ;  gilding  with  the  appearances  of  a  virtuous  fenfe 
cf  obligation,  a  commendable  deference  for  public  opin- 


ion,  or  a  laudable  zeal  for  public  good,  the  bafe  or  fool- 
iili  compliances  of  ambition,  corruption,  or  infatuation. 

As  avenues  to  foreign  influence  in  innumerable  ways, 
fuch  attachments  are  particularly  alarming  to  the  truly 
enlightened  and  independent  patriot.  How  many  op- 
portunities do  they  afford  to  tamper  with  domeftic  fac- 
tions, to  practice  the  arts  of  feduction,  to  miflead  public 
opinion,  to  influence  or  awe  the  public  councils  ;  fuch 
an  attachment  of  a  fmall  or  weak,  towards  a  great  and 
powerful  nation,  dooms  the  former  to  be  the  fatellits  of 
the  latter. 

AGAINST  the  infidious  wiles  of  foreign  influence  (I 
conjure  you  to  believe  me,  fellow  citizens)  the  jealoufyof 
a  free  people  ought  to  be conftantly  awake;  fince  hiftory 
and  experience  prove  that  foreign  influence  is  one  of 
the  mod  baneful  foes  of  Republican  Government. — • 
But  that  jealouly  to  be  uleful  muft  be  impartial  ;  elfe  it 
becomes  the  inftruoient  of  the  very  influence  to  be  avoid- 
ed, inftead  of  a  defence  againft  it.  Exceffive  partiality 
for  one  foreign  nation,  and  exceffive  diflike  of  another, 
caufe  thofe  whom  they  actuate  to  fee  danger  only  on 
one  fide,  and  ferve  to  veil  and  even  fecond  the  arts  of 
influence  on  the  other.  Real  patriots  who  may  refift 
the  intrigues  of  the  favorite,  are  liable  to  become  fuf- 
pected  and  odious  ;  while  its  tools  and  dupes  ufurp  the 
applaufe  and  confidence  of  the  people,  to  furrender  their 
interefts. 

THE  great  rule  of  conduct  for  us  in  regard  to  foreign 
nations,  is  in  extending  our  commercial  relations,  to  have 
with  them  as  little  political  connection  as  poffible.  So 
far  as  we  have  already  formed  engagements,  let  them  be 
fulfilled  with  perred  good  faith.  Here  let  us  flop. 


* 

(    57    ). 

EUROPE  has  a  fet  of  primary  interefh^  which  to  tig 
have  none  or  a  very  remote  relation.  Hence  Hie  muft 
be  engaged  infrequent  controverfies,  the  caufes  of  which 
are  eflentially  foreign  to  our  concerns.  Hence  there- 
fore, it  muft  beunwife  in  us  to  implicate  ourfelves,  by 
artificial  ties,  in  the  ordinary  viciffitudes  of  her  politics,  or 
the  ordinary  combinations  and  collifions  of  her  friend- 
fhips,  or  enmities. 

OUR  detached  fituation,  invites  and  enables  us  td 
purfue  a  different  courfe.  If  we  remain  one  people  un- 
der an  efficient  government,  the  period  is  not  far  offj 
when  we  may  defy  material  injury  from  external  annoy- 
ance ;  when  we  may  take  fuch  an  attitude  as  will  caufei 
the  neutrality  we  may  at  any  time  refolve  upon,  to  be 
fcrupuloufly  refpected  ;  when  belligerent  nations,  under 
the  impofiibility  of  making  acquifitions  upon  us  will  not 
lightly  hazard  the  giving  us  provocation  -,  when  we  may 
choofe  peace  or  war,  as  our  interefts,  guided  by  juftice, 
fhall  counfel. 

WHY  forego  the  advantages  of  fo  peculiar  a  fituation  ? 
Why  quit  our  own  to  ftand  upon  foreign  ground  ? 
Why,  by  interweaving  our  defliny  with  that  of  any  part 
of  Europe,  entangle  our  peace  and  profperity  in  the  toils 
of  European  ambition,  rivalfhip,  intereft,  humour  or 
caprice  ? 

'Tis  our  tnae  policy  to  fteer  clear  of  permanent  alli- 
ances, with  any  portion  of  the  foreign  world  ;  fo  far,  I 
mean,as  we  are  now  at  liberty  to  do  it :  for  let  me  not  be 
underftood  as  capable  of  patronizing  infidelity  toexifting 
engagements.  I  hold  the  maxim  no  lefs  applicable  td 
public  than  to  private  affairs,  that  hontfty  is  always  tht' 

H 


(    58    ) 

beft  policy.  I  repeat  it  therefore,  let  thofe  engagements 
be  obferved  in  their  genuine  fenfe.  But  in  my  opinion, 
it  is  unneceffary  and  would  be  unwife  to  extend  them. 

TAKING  care  always  to  keep  ourfelves,  by  fuitable  ef- 
tablifhments,  on  a  refpectabledefenfivepofture,  we  may 
fafely  trull  to  temporary  alliances  for  extraordinary  e- 
mergencics. 

HARMONY,  liberal  intercourfe  with  all  nations, 
sre  recommended  by  policy,  humanity  and  intereft. 
But  even  our  commercial  policy  Ihould  hold  an  equal 
and  impartial  hand ;  neither  fending  or  granting  exclu- 
five  favors  or  preferences — confulting  the  natural  courfe 
of  things ;  diffunngand  diverfifying  by  gentle  means  the 
ftreams  of  commerce,  but  forcing  nothing ;  eftablifhing, 
with  powers  fo  difpofed,  in  order  to  give  trade  a  ftable 
courfe  to  define  the  rights  of  our  merchants,  and  to  en- 
able the  government  to  fupport  them  j  conventional  rules 
cf  intercourie,  the  beft  that  prefent  circumftances  and 
mutual  opinion  will  permit,  but  temporary,  and  liable 
to  be  from  time  to  time  abandoned  or  varied  as  experi- 
ence or  circumftances  fhall  dictate  ;  conftantly  keeping 
in  view,  that  'tis  folly  in  one  nation  to  look  for  difinter- 
efted  favors  from  another  :  that  it  muft  pay  with  a  por- 
tion of  its  independence  for  whatever  it  may  accept  un- 
der that  character;  that  by  fuch  acceptance,  it  may 
place  itfelf  in  the  condition  of  having  given  equivalents 
ibr  nominal  favors,  and  yet  of  being  reproached  with  in- 
gratitude for  not  giving  more.  There  can  be  no  greater 
error  than  to  expect,  or  calculate  upon  real  favors  from 
nation  to  nation.  'Tis  an  illufion  which  experience 
iriuftcure,  which  ajuft  pride  ought  todifcard. 


(     59     ) 

IN  offering  to  you,  my  countrymen,  thefs  counfels  of  an 
old  affectionate  friend,  I  dare  not  hope  they  will  make 
the  flrong  and  lading  imprefiion  I  could  wi(h — that 
they  will  controul  the  ufual  current  of  the  paffions,  or 
prevent  our  nation  from  running  the  courfe  which  has 
hitherto  marked  the  defliny  of  nations  :  But  if  I  may 
even  flatter  myfelf,  that  they  may  be  productive  of  iume 
partial  benefits,  fome  occafional  good  ;  that  they  may 
now  and  then  recur  to  moderate  the  fury  of  party  fpirir, 
to  warn  againft  the  mifchiefs  of  foreign  intrigue,  to 
guard  againft  the  impoftures  of  pretended  patriotifm  ; 
this  hope  will  be  a  full  recompsnfe  for  the  folicitude  for 
your  welfare,  by  which  they  have  been  dictated. 

How  far  in  the  difcharge  of  my  official  duties,  I  have 
been  guided  by  the  principles  which  have  been  delinea- 
ted, the  public  records  and  other  evidences  of  my  con- 
duct muft  witnefs  to  you  and  to  the  world.  To  my- 
felf, the  aflurance  of  my  own  confcience  is,  that  I  have 
at  lead  believed  myfelf  to  be  guided  by  them. 

IN  relation  to  the  ftill  fubfifting  war  in  Europe,  my 
Proclamation  of  the  22d  April,  1795,  is  the  index  to  my 
plan.  Sanctioned  by  your  approving  voice,  and  by  that 
of  your  reprefentatives  in  both  Houfes  of  Congrefs,  the 
fpirit  of  that  meafure  has  continually  governed  me,  unin- 
fluenced by  any  attempts  to  deter  or  divert  me  from  it. 

AFTER  deliberate  examination,  with  the  aid  of  the 
bed  lights  I  could  obtain,  I  was  well  fatisfied  that  our 
country,  under  all  the  circumftances  of  the  caf.-,  had  a 
right  to  take  and  was  bound  in  duty  and  intereft  to  take 
a  neutral  pofition.  Having  taken  it,  I  determined,  as 
far  as  (hou'.d  depend  on  me,  to  maintain  it  with  mo* 
deration* 


THE  con  fiderat  ions  which  refpect  the  right  to  hold 
this  conducl,  it  is  not  neceffary  on  thisoccafion  to  detail. 
I  will  only  obferve,  that  according  to  my  understanding 
pi  the  matter,  that  right,  fo  far  from  being  denied  by 
any  of  the  Belligerent  Powers,  has  been  virtually  admit- 
ted by  all. 

THE  duty  of  holding  a  neutral  conduct  may  be  in- 
ferred, without  any  thing  more,  from  the  obligation 
\vhichjuftice  and  humanity  impofe  on  every  nation,  in/ 
cafes  in  which  it  is  free  to  ac~l,  to  maintain  inviolate  the 
Delations  of  peace  and  amity  towards  other  nations. 

THE  inducements  of  intereft  for  obferving  that  con- 
duct will  beft  be  referred  to  your  own  reflections  and  ex- 
perience. With  me,  a  predominant  motive  has  been 
to  endeavour  to  gain  time  to  our  country  to  fettle  and 
mature  its  yet  recent  inftitutions,  and  to  prcgrefs  with- 
out interruption,  to  that  degree  of  ftrength  and  confift- 
ency,  which  is  neceffary  to  give  it,  humanly  (peaking, 
the  command  of  its  own  fortunes. 

THOUGH  in  reviewing  the  incidents  of  my  adminiura- 
tion,  I  am  unconfcious  of  intentional  error  :  I  am  never- 
thelefs  too  fenfible  of  my  defects  not  to  think  it  probable 
that  I  have  committed  many  errors.  Whatever  they 
may  be,  J  fervently  befeech  the  Almighty  to  avert  or 
mitigate  the  evils  to  which  they  may  tend.  I  (hall  allo 
carry  with  me  the  hope  that  my  country  will  never  ceafe 
to  view  them  with  indulgence  ;  and  that  after  forty- 
five  years  of  my  life  dedicated  to  its  fervice,  with  an  up- 
right zeal,  the  faults  of  incompetent  abilities  will  be 
configned  to  oblivion,  as  myfelf  mud  loon  be  to  the 
manfions  of  reft, 


RELYING  on  its  kindnefs  in  this  as  in  other  things,  and 
actuated  by  that  fervent  love  towards  it,  which  is  To  na- 
tural to  a  man  who  views  in  it  the  native  foil  of  himfelt 
and  his  progenitors  for  fevera)  generations  j  I  anticipate 
with  pleafing  expectation  that  retreat,  in  which  I  prom- 
ife  myfelf  to  realize,  without  alloy,  the  fweet  enjoyment 
of  partaking  in  the  midft  of  my  fellow-citizens,  the  be- 
nign influence  of  good  laws  under  a  free  government  —  the 
ever  favorite  objecl:  of  my  heart,  and  the  happy  reward 
as  I  truft,  of  our  mutual  cares,  labors  and  dangers. 


yearae,  rr  a<sn 
<f      J 

United  States,  i^tb  September,  1796. 


M38285 


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